Suspect In Chainsaw Tree-Killing Spree Arrested

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police on Tuesday arrested a Los Angeles man suspected of riding his bike through downtown Los Angeles cutting down city trees with a handheld chainsaw.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, 45-year-old Samuel Patrick Groft is the man who went on a tree-killing spree in Downtown Los Angeles, the Westlake District, and Glassell Park over the last week. Groft was arrested late Tuesday afternoon in the area of Custer Avenue and West Sunset Boulevard on suspicion of felony vandalism, according to the LAPD.

The destruction of the drought-resistant ficus trees shocked the community. The trees provide a large canopy over the urban landscape, providing shade for pedestrians and cooling city streets.

Detectives believe Groft is the suspect responsible for cutting numerous city trees at these dates, times, and locations:

• April 17, 2025, around 12:00 a.m. 500 block of North Broadway Avenue, Central Area
• April 18, 2025, around 3:40 p.m., 1500 block of West 8th Street, Rampart Area
• April 19, 2025, around 1:20 am, in the 350 block of South Grand Avenue, Central Area
• April 22, 2025, around 2:00 p.m., in the 300 block of Treadwell Street, Northeast Area

"On April 22, 2025, around 4:30 p.m., LAPD Rampart Detectives located and arrested Groft in
the area of Custer Avenue and West Sunset Boulevard," police said in a written statement. "Detectives located evidence linking him to the crimes."

Anyone with information about the alleged vandalism is urged to call LAPD Detective Gutierrez at 213-924-8930.