Community Activist Turned Tire Slasher Won't Go to Prison

The outspoken, self-proclaimed neighborhood watchman who once claimed he would break the hands of the person slashing tires in his Philadelphia neighborhood learned his fate Monday for committing acts of vandalism.

David Toledo, the victim turned suspect in the Mayfair tire-slashing spree, was slapped with a punishment of two years probation.

Toledo, 46, was convicted earlier this year of 15 counts of false reports and possession of an instrument of crime and 12 counts of criminal mischief for slashing the tires of more than 50 cars near his one-time home.

"Toledo held an entire neighborhood hostage with his criminal actions and the jury clearly saw that by convicting him," said Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams.

Toledo faced up to 15 years of jail time but at Monday morning's sentencing he was spared time behind bars.

Toledo spoke to NBC10 several times after coverage of tire slashings in the area of the 4000 block of Aldine Street -- where he lived at the time -- and surrounding roads began to surface in February 2012.

"I hope the cops get them before the neighbors find out who it is because something bad is going to happen," said Toledo after some cars were vandalized in mid-March. "My wife said 'somebody is watching us watching the cops' because when they're here nothing happens."

Authorities say Toledo, a butcher, also slashed his own tires to seek media attention. He was convicted of damaging his own vehicle, as well as a weapons charge and criminal mischief.

During the trial, Brennan suggested that a prosecution witness who carried a knife on neighborhood patrols was also a suspect.

Throughout the slashings, Toledo was there speaking out against the vandalism.

"This will be the last time that you're going to get my car because you will get caught," Toledo told NBC10 after just his tires were slashed on March 20, 2012. "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."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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