A man was arrested after allegedly attempting to steal a car containing three passengers while the vehicle was at a Miranda petrol station.
The man, 26, was charged with enter vehicle without consent of owner, drive with middle range concentration of alcohol, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
A police statement said the incident occurred just after midnight on Saturday September 12 when a motorist went to pay for petrol, leaving an adult male in the front passenger seat and two adult males in the rear seat of the Toyota Corolla.
"The keys were in the ignition," the statement said.
"Police allege a 26-year-old male, who was unknown to the victims, got into the vehicle and attempted to drive it away.
"The passenger was able to stop the vehicle from leaving by putting the handbrake on. The offender punched the passenger several times to the head before fleeing.
"Sutherland Shire Police attended and commenced a search for the offender. He was located about 15 minutes later and arrested."
The man is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on October 22.