Chainsaw attacks on trees in downtown Los Angeles have multiple mysteries.
1: Who did it? Two: What is the motive for this strange crime?
Lapd CMDR: “I worked at the Los Angeles Police Department for 35 years and I have never seen anyone attack trees, especially on Earth Day,” Lillian Carranza said.
On Wednesday, authorities announced that Samuel Patrick Groft, 45, was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism and linked him to 13 trees at five locations across the city. He was arrested on Earth Day Tuesday.
According to law enforcement officers, he has a broad criminal history and has posted on social media that he believes his mind is controlled by “electronic weapons.”
Groft could not be contacted for comment.
In more than a week, at least 13 trees were cut down on public sidewalks, which caused anger across the city, some of which suggests that wanton vandals marked a new low in a city struggling in a variety of social and economic crises.
On social media sites, some outraged city residents speculated that these actions were committed by “trees that want to walk away” or by immoral developers secretly coordinated by the city of Los Angeles.
Unique appearance
While surveillance of bald and goatskin suspects wearing black and stomping on BMX-style bikes while also releasing a dark backpack and large duffel bag at the Los Angeles Police Department, many wonder what can make one drive one to attack city trees.
The Los Angeles Police Department released the surveillance image, which was suspected of cutting down many trees in downtown Los Angeles and other neighborhoods.
(LAPD)
Groft has a tattoo with a Roman numeral 666 behind his head, and he was detained at homeless camps in Sunset Boulevard and Custer Avenue in Chinatown, law enforcement sources said.
Police said Wednesday that Groft had a chainsaw when he was arrested. He had previously been convicted and attacked with deadly weapons, under influence, felony charges, felony charges and crash attacks, according to court records. LAPD officials declined to comment further on his criminal history, but detectives said they realized him from previous cases.
“That’s not normal”
A person who spent nearby was detained told The Times that they saw the suspect using a chain AW on a metal pole.
“There are sparks and S – flying everywhere,” said the person who asked for anonymity due to safety reasons. “That's not normal.”
In 2023, Groft told a Cal State LA student journalist that he had lived on the street for several years as he completed a mental health court transfer program that provides residential mental health treatment for people facing incarceration.
LAPD officials declined to comment on whether Groft is currently dealing with mental illness or drug abuse. They also refuse to share any possible motivations for tree cuttings.
The LinkedIn account with Groft’s name and photos includes a signed 2017 letter that states: “I’ve been vilified and even controlled by electronic weapons that try to lure me into some kind of massive setup.”
A strange crime
Police said Groft was charged with cutting off the first trunk on April 13, the most recent Tuesday, the day he was arrested. Detectives said they are still confirming the exact date and time of all events, but said some happened during the day and some happened in the middle of the night.
A tree was cut down on the 500 block of North Broadway. Three saws were taken near 1550 W. 8th St.; five were knocked down near 350 S. Grand Ave; 717 W. Temple St. 717 W. LAPD officials said one of them was taken near 300 Treadwell St. Other locations of the fallen trees are still under study.
Many people living near affected trees not only cause safety issues after the incident, but also cause important shadows, stormwater management and environmental damage to habitat.
The situation is “really incomprehensible” and public works staff are working to replace the trees as soon as possible, La Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.
Trees offer many benefits to urban areas. They clean the air, replenish groundwater, capture stormwater runoff, slow down street deterioration, and have been proven to reduce crime.
Times worker Clara Harter and David Zahniser contributed to the report.
