Man Arrested for Chopping Down Trees in Downtown L.A. with a Chainsaw

Police have arrested the man believed to have chopped down several trees in a wild chainsaw attack in downtown Los Angeles.

44-year-old Samuel Patrick Groft has been taken into custody and charged with felony vandalism. His bond is set at $150,000.

LAPD confirmed the arrest Tuesday night around 7:30 p.m., following a days-long search that began Saturday after rows of downtown L.A. trees were found cut down overnight.

Witnesses said it all happened while the city was asleep. Surveillance footage showed a man in all black, riding a BMX-style bike, cruising through the area like it was a scene from a movie.

Mayor Karen Bass called the act “truly beyond comprehension.”

However, by Monday, city crews were already out cleaning up the mess. The mayor’s office said the city is moving fast to replace every tree that was lost.