Arrest Made in Downtown LA Chainsaw Tree Vandalism

A man suspected of cutting down dozens of city-owned trees in downtown Los Angeles with a chainsaw over Easter weekend has been arrested by police. The incident, which saw trees felled at multiple intersections, drew strong condemnation from city leaders including Mayor Karen Bass, who called the act 'truly beyond comprehension.' Surveillance footage and witness reports indicated the suspect moved between locations on a bicycle and used a small cordless chainsaw to cut the trees, many of which were Indian laurel figs valued for their environmental benefits. The suspect was identified as homeless and was found at one of his regular hangouts with the chainsaw still in his possession. City crews have begun clearing debris and plan to replace the damaged trees, while police continue to investigate the motive behind the vandalism. The community played a significant role by sharing information and surveillance images online, assisting authorities in the investigation.