A man already on probation for slashing the tires of dozens of cars in Philadelphia’s Mayfair community was arrested again after he allegedly tried to vandalize a SEPTA vehicle.
David Toledo, 46, was arrested and charged with harassment, possessing an instrument of crime with intent and criminal mischief.
A SEPTA employee told police he was sitting inside his vehicle parked on the corner of 1600 Creston Street Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. when he spotted a man, later identified by police as Toledo, bending down near the vehicle’s tire. Another SEPTA employee who was parked near the area told police he also spotted Toledo placing an object near the tire.
Toledo then walked back to his home on the same street, according to the witnesses.
The first SEPTA employee told investigators he looked at the object Toledo allegedly placed and found a glue mouse trap with several nails attached to the glue side.
Toledo was later arrested at his home without incident. He was taken into custody on 10% of $25,000 bail.
Toledo first made headlines when he was arrested and later sentenced after he slashed the tires of more than 50 cars near his former home in the Mayfair section of the city. Prior to his arrest and conviction, Toledo spoke to NBC10 several times when the tire slashings were first reported.
"I hope the cops get them before the neighbors find out who it is because something bad is going to happen," said Toledo after cars were vandalized in March, 2012. "My wife said 'somebody is watching us watching the cops' because when they're here nothing happens."
Authorities said Toledo, a butcher, also slashed his own tires to seek media attention.
"This will be the last time that you're going to get my car because you will get caught," Toledo told NBC10 after his tires were slashed. "The $10,000 reward, I don't want the money, all I want is their hands so I can smash them so they can never do it again."
After his conviction, Toledo was sentenced to two years of probation, avoiding jail time.
Toledo is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 23 in connection to the latest incident.
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police
