Man Suspected Of Cutting Down Trees Across Los Angeles Arrested

The Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday night announced a suspect was in custody for allegedly using a chainsaw to cut down numerous city trees over the weekend.

Photos and videos were shared to social media over the weekend after residents in the Westlake District, Glassell Park and downtown neighborhoods of Los Angeles discovered numerous city-owned trees on public property had been cut down.

According to police, the trees were cut beginning on April 17 on the 500 block of North Broadway Avenue. The cutting continued through April 22 across various locations.

Cindy Aguilar manages a building at 8th Street and Union Avenue, in the area where trees were cut on Friday. She told KTLA that she searched surveillance videos on Monday morning and spotted the suspect in the act.

On Tuesday, police released surveillance images of the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Samuel Patrick Groft, seeking the public’s help locating him. Later that evening, police announced Groft was in custody.

Groft was arrested and charged with felony vandalism. Police said they are seeking additional victims as they believe Groft may be responsible for additional unreported crimes.