Sorry. Submitted too soon. (That’s what *she *said.)
Listen, these arrogant fucks have already established that they don’t give a shit about rights, convenience, and safety of the rest of us. If someone else acts using the same logic, what right do they have to complain?
Perhaps it was O.J.'s car and the key-er was Mr. Goldman? 
If that was the case, I’m thinking he decidedly got off light.
Now for some serious-er thoughts…
I know this isn’t specifically on topic since it’s not confined to cars, but I recently saw a segment on the Dallas news about a home-owner who had the hell slashed out of his inflatable holiday decorations. Now I realize that lots of people hate them (they’re not my favorite things either), but this was heart breaking to see because their daughter was so young, inconsolable and had no idea, or understanding, of why someone would do this. So in that sense, if folks have some beef over whatever, at least encounter the subject of your ire face-to-face.
Another aside, but I think the reasoning behind this is that you’re (generally speaking) trying to hurt someone back in a way that matters to them. Maybe experience has taught you that talking to the new SO is pointless for whatever reasons (she doesn’t believe you, the ex says you’re a vindictive bitch, etc.) and you want to hit them were it’ll be noticed. IE: Just like Terrell Owens isn’t going to miss $35k, he would grasp his consequences better sitting out a 6 game suspension. The ex might shrug off a fight or two with his new woman over something that was said, but would go ape shit over his vehicle being damaged in some way. I don’t subscribe to this philosophy (hey, if he doesn’t want you, you’re miles above the rest by letting him vamoose), but there it is.
Also, believing that the authorities can always help these kinds of situations is a little optimistic. Doesn’t matter what should happen in a perfect world, but instead in reality, much like Contrapuntal contends. That’s just one of the very reasons you should consider your actions when in a quest to do something ‘wrong;’ you never know if somebody will blow your head off if you attempt to rob them. By the same token, park in a fire lane and you might find yourself on the butt end of some static road rage.
[Disclaimer: I have never done what the OP is talking about and am, for all intents and purposes, the most shrinking violet you’ll ever meet. Now, pass me those Nerf scissors. Thank you. ;)]
Well, see my car was parked nearby and… I got nothing.
When you drive a 17 year old car, you don’t get that worried about it. Although, in 8 years it’s technically a classic right? heh.