Samuel Patrick Groft is accused of illegally cutting down approximately a dozen city trees around Los Angeles using an electric chainsaw. This spree lasted five days, from April 17 to April 22, and included both nighttime and broad daylight vandalism. Estimated replacement costs for the trees reached at least $347,000, excluding additional damage found later. The community expressed outrage, leading to a public statement from Mayor Karen Bass promising swift action on tree replanting as residents expressed concern over the diminishing urban canopy.
"Groft cruised through Los Angeles on his bicycle, single-handedly chopping down about a dozen city trees with an electric chainsaw in three neighborhoods."
"The cost of replacing the trees will be at least $347,000, not including three additional toppled trees discovered by the LAPD."
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