Alleged Kingsgrove tyre-slasher Michael Sahartor arrested and charged

A man who was wanted by police for allegedly slashing the tyres on more than 40 cars in southwest Sydney has been arrested at Canberra Airport.

Michael Sahartor was arrested at Canberra Airport and charged with 43 counts of damage and destroy property. Picture: NSW Police

A man who was wanted by police for allegedly slashing the tyres on more than 40 cars in southwest Sydney has been arrested at Canberra Airport.

Michael Sahartor, also known as Hassan Saleh, 41, had an outstanding warrant against him for more than 40 alleged malicious damage-related offences across Kingsgrove on September 15.

Residents woke up to find their tyres punctured and cars immobilised after Sahartor allegedly targeted vehicles parked on five streets between 2.30am and 6am.

Less than a week after NSW Police put out an appeal for public assistance to locate Sahartor, identifying him as the alleged culprit, he was caught and arrested interstate in the ACT.

“A man wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant has been charged over alleged malicious damage-related offences in Sydney’s south,” a police statement read.

More than 40 cars were targeted in the alleged tyre-slashing spree. Picture: Facebook

“Following extensive inquiries, a 41-year-old man was arrested by ACT Police at Canberra Airport yesterday.

“He appeared before ACT Magistrate’s Court today where an application for extradition was granted.”

Sahartor was taken to Queanbeyan police station where the warrant was executed and he was charged with 43 counts of damage and destroy property.

He was refused bail to appear before Queanbeyan Local Court on Friday.

Sahartor’s arrest comes after the Kingsgrove community planned to form a “neighbourhood watch” in response to the alleged incident, with the first information session scheduled for September 29.