In announcing charges filed against the 44-year-old homeless man accused of cutting down trees in downtown Los Angeles, officials said the damages will cost city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In a news release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors say that in a five-day span, from April 14-19, Samuel Groft cut down at least trees costing taxpayers approximately $347,000 in damages, repairs and replacements.
By April 20, much of the damage was making its way onto social media as some Angelenos posted photos to Reddit and Instagram of all the felled trees downtown.
Trees cut down with a chainsaw were seen in pieces at locations including 1st Street and Wilshire Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard and Hope Street, Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street, Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue, Grand Avenue in front of the Wells Fargo Center and Grand Avenue and 5th Street.
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A man suspected of cutting down trees in downtown L.A. with a chainsaw has been taken into custody. (LAPD) -
Vandals cut down trees in downtown L.A. over the Easter Holiday weekend. (Media Moussavy) -
Vandals cut down trees in downtown L.A. over the Easter Holiday weekend. (Media Moussavy) -
Vandals cut down trees in downtown L.A. over the Easter Holiday weekend. (Media Moussavy) -
Vandals cut down trees in downtown L.A. over the Easter Holiday weekend. (Media Moussavy) -
Vandals cut down trees in downtown L.A. over the Easter Holiday weekend. (Media Moussavy) -
Vandals cut down trees in downtown L.A. over the Easter Holiday weekend. (Media Moussavy)
“That someone would do this is truly beyond comprehension,” L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement released late afternoon on Easter Sunday.
Two days later, Groft was taken into custody by L.A. police, who said the chainsaw, along with other evidence of the vandalism, was in his possession at the time of his arrest.
According to the DA’s office, the 44-year-old, who has previous convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and vandalism, has been charged with eight counts of felony vandalism in connection with this latest incident.
“What took years to grow only took minutes to destroy,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “Trees not only provide shade and comfort but nourish those who live and work in our communities. Selfish and senseless acts that strip away a vital piece of our ecosystem are profoundly disturbing and my office will prosecute anyone who engages in such criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law.”
If convicted as charged, Groft could see a maximum sentence of six years and six months in state prison.
