Police arrest vandal accused of cutting down downtown LA trees with chainsaw
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A chainsaw-wielding man accused of cutting down several trees on city property in Downtown L.A. has been arrested, according to Los Angeles police.
LAPD released surveillance photos of the wanted suspect on Tuesday. In an update around 6:30 p.m., police said the suspect, 44-year-old Samuel Patrick Groft, had been taken into custody. He's charged with felony vandalism, and his bond was set at $150,000.
Investigators said the suspect, who was riding a bicycle, cut down several trees in the areas of downtown Los Angeles, the Westlake District, and Glassell Park.
A motive is not yet known. Police say Groft, described as being homeless, is suspected of using a power saw to cut down multiple trees in six different incidents.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Chainsaw-wielding suspect cuts down several trees during overnight vandalism spree in downtown LA
"Some piece of you-know-what decided that they were going to go around last night, chopping down trees all over downtown L.A.," a video posted Saturday on the Instagram account @DTLAInsider said.
Media Moussavy, who operates the @DTLAInsider account and has lived downtown since 2017, told ABC7: "Anybody that does this, this is an act of destruction."
At least five toppled trees were spotted Saturday at Grand Avenue and Wells Fargo Center, Olympic Street and Figueroa Boulevard, Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue, and at Grand Avenue and Fifth Street.
LAPD said Groft has been identified as the suspect responsible for cutting down trees on April 17, 18, 19, and 22. LAPD Rampart Detectives found and arrested Groft near Custer Avenue and West Sunset Boulevard on Tuesday. LAPD said he had evidence in his possession linking him to the crimes.
Public works crews are already making plans to replace the downed trees. Police say the price tag to replace the trees will be at least $347,000. That estimated figure doesn't even include the three latest chopped trees LAPD discovered.
"That someone would do this is truly beyond comprehension," Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement provided to ABC7. "City public works crews are assessing the damage and we will be making plans to quickly replace these damaged trees. LAPD has opened an investigation into what happened and those responsible must be held accountable."
LAPD believes Groft may be responsible for additional unreported crimes.
Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD Rampart Burglary Theft Detectives at (213) 484-3490. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).
