A homeless man with a spray-painted chainsaw cut down 13 trees in downtown Los Angeles, causing nearly $350,000 in environmental damage to the city struggling to maintain its urban greenery.
Key Takeaways
- Samuel Patrick Groft, 44, faces multiple felony charges for cutting down 13 trees over seven days in downtown Los Angeles
- The vandalism caused an estimated $350,000 in damages, with city-owned trees valued at approximately $175,000
- Groft, who is homeless with an extensive criminal record, remains jailed on $350,000 bail and faces up to six-and-a-half years in state prison if convicted
- Despite claiming to be an arborist who “loves trees,” Groft was caught with the spray-painted chainsaw used in the crimes
- The city plans to replace each destroyed tree with two new ones through community partnerships
Week-Long Tree Destruction Spree
The brazen vandalism began on April 13 and continued for a full week, with multiple mature trees felled at various locations throughout downtown Los Angeles. The destruction initially went unnoticed until April 19, when three large trees were discovered cut down on South Grand Avenue. The vandal’s targets included Chinese elms, ficus, dragon trees, and junipers – many of which had taken decades to reach their full growth. The damage represents not just a financial loss but an environmental setback for a city already struggling with limited green space.
Police ultimately arrested 44-year-old Samuel Patrick Groft on April 22 after an investigation aided by surveillance footage and community tips. Authorities located Groft at a homeless encampment where they found him in possession of a spray-painted electric chainsaw believed to be the tool used in the destructive spree. Detective Michael Pineda noted that the evidence against Groft was significant, stating, “We went to one of the locations over at Custer and Sunset. Once we got there, we found him there with the evidence, the same clothing, bicycle, and the chainsaw,” stated CBS News.
Serious Charges and Legal Proceedings
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed nine felony vandalism charges against Groft, along with two misdemeanors. In California, the threshold for felony vandalism is just $400 in damages – a figure easily exceeded by the destruction of even a single urban tree. Authorities estimate the total damage at nearly $350,000, with six of the trees alone valued at more than $170,000. The case represents one of the most significant acts of environmental vandalism in recent Los Angeles history.
“It appears to this court that the charges in the underlying complaint … have been committed. There is probable cause and a strong suspicion that the conduct involved this defendant, Mr. Samuel Groft,” said Judge George Lomeli.
During a preliminary hearing, Judge George Lomeli denied Groft’s request for release on his recognizance, citing his “extensive criminal record.” The judge set bail at $350,000 – a figure symbolically matching the estimated damage caused by the tree cutting spree. If convicted on all charges, Groft faces up to six and a half years in state prison. The severity of the potential sentence reflects the serious nature of environmental crimes that impact entire communities and ecosystems.
Bizarre Contradictions and Community Response
In a strange twist to the case, Groft reportedly made contradictory statements during his arrest, first complaining about being arrested on Earth Day, then proclaiming his love for trees. According to court testimony, Groft told officers, “I love trees. I love bark. I’m an arborist.” These statements stand in stark contrast to the methodical destruction he allegedly carried out across downtown Los Angeles over a week.
“What took years to grow only took minutes to destroy,” said District Attorney Nathan Hochman, emphasizing the environmental impact and pledging to prosecute the case to the fullest extent. In response to the destruction, City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado has announced community efforts to not only replace the lost trees but to enhance the urban forest. Through partnerships with LA Conservation Corps and Northeast Trees, the city plans to plant two new trees for every one destroyed – a small silver lining to an otherwise senseless act of environmental vandalism.
