Chainsaw-wielding man accused of cutting down trees in DTLA arrested

LOS ANGELES - A suspect accused of using a chainsaw to chop down city trees in downtown Los Angeles, the Westlake District, and Glassell Park has been arrested, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

What we know:

The suspect, 45-year-old Samuel Patrick Groft, was arrested Tuesday in downtown LA on suspicion of felony vandalism, police said. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Trees hacked by chainsaw-wielding vandals in DTLA

Samuel Patrick Groft / LAPD

Groft is accused of cutting down trees in the following areas:

• in the 500 block of North Broadway, near Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, in downtown Los Angeles around midnight Thursday;
• in the 1500 block of West Eighth Street, near Union Avenue, in the Westlake district around 3:40 p.m. Friday;
• the 2Cal skyscraper in the Bunker Hill section of downtown at 350 S. Grand Ave., between Third and Fourth streets, around 1:20 a.m. Saturday; and
• in the 300 block of Treadwell Street, adjacent to Forest Lawn- Glendale and San Fernando Road, in Glassell Park, around 2 p.m. Tuesday.

His bail has been set at $100,000.

On Thursday, LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that Groft had been charged with eight counts of felony vandalism. If convicted, could spend more than six years in state prison.

What we don't know:

The motive is under investigation.

Authorities had previously said multiple people were involved in the crime, but only Groft's arrest was announced Tuesday. It's unclear if police are looking for any other suspects involved.

What you can do:

Police said there may be additional victims because they believe Groft may be responsible for additional unreported crimes.

Anyone with information regarding the tree-cutting incidents is urged to call LAPD Central Burglary Detective Gutierrez at 213-924-8930.

Calls during non-business hours should be directed to the watch commander at 213-486-6618. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

What's next:

City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion Wednesday to increase fines for anyone who injures or cuts city trees. The city would consider tiered penalties based on the age, extent of injury and percentage of tree canopy lost. City officials would also look at creating an outreach plan to boost awareness of the city's regulations protecting trees.

The motion will come before the council's public works and public safety committees.

"With someone cutting down several trees in the public right-of-way, and for many of our DTLA residents, the public right-of-way is an extension of their home, their urban backyard," Jurado said Wednesday. "So, the loss of these trees is personal, especially for communities that so fiercely advocates for the revitalization of their neighborhood."

According to the councilwoman, the city is working with LA Conservation Corps on solutions to replace the lost trees.