LOS ANGELES — A man suspected of using a power saw to cut down numerous trees on city property in downtown Los Angeles, the Westlake District and Glassell Park was charged Thursday with eight counts of felony vandalism.

Samuel Patrick Groft, 45, of Los Angeles, pleaded not guilty during an afternoon appearance in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.

Groft is due back in court May 7, with a hearing set then to determine if there is sufficient evidence against him to allow the case to proceed to trial.

Deputy District Attorney Dan Wright told Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa R. McGonigle that the defendant "bought a chainsaw at Harbor Freight" and "chopped down eight trees" valued at about $350,000.

The prosecutor said Groft had a "long history of violence" and said he believes he is a danger to the public.

In denying the defendant's request to be released on his own recognizance, the judge noted that he has an "extensive criminal record."

Groft was arrested around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Custer Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, adjacent to the Hollywood (101) Freeway and Arroyo Seco (110) Parkway, in downtown Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He has remained behind bars since then.

Police said Groft, while riding a bike and armed with an electric chainsaw, is suspected of cutting down trees:

• in the 500 block of North Broadway, near Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, in downtown Los Angeles around midnight Thursday;
• in the 1500 block of West Eighth Street, near Union Avenue, in the Westlake district around 3:40 p.m. Friday;
• at the 2Cal skyscraper in the Bunker Hill section of downtown at 350 S. Grand Ave., between Third and Fourth streets, around 1:20 a.m. Saturday; and
• in the 300 block of Treadwell Street, adjacent to Forest Lawn- Glendale and San Fernando Road, in Glassell Park, around 2 p.m. Tuesday.

On Tuesday afternoon, the LAPD issued a Community Alert with pictures of the suspect. Groft's arrest was announced at 6:34 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said they were seeking additional victims because it is believed that Groft may be responsible for additional unreported crimes.

Anyone with information regarding the tree-cutting incidents was urged to call LAPD Central Burglary Detective Gutierrez at 213-924-8930. Calls during non-business hours should be directed to the watch commander at 213-486- 6618. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

"What took years to grow only took minutes to destroy," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. "Trees not only provide shade and comfort but nourish those who live and work in our communities. Selfish and senseless acts that strip away a vital piece of our ecosystem are profoundly disturbing and my office will prosecute anyone who engages in such criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law."

City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who represents downtown neighborhoods, held a news conference Thursday afternoon to highlight how residents are coming together in the aftermath of what she described as a "random act of violence."

"Thanks to the generosity of various community organizations and community members that have reached out ... we're replacing the trees two to one," Jurado said.

LA Conservation Corps and North East Trees will donate new trees, she noted.

Teresa Hillery, a founding board member of Downtown Los Angeles Residents Association, thanked everyone who offered support.

"It's about our safety. It's about our dignity. It's about the expectation that when we do something to move this community forward, our progress will be protected at all costs," Hillery said.

The councilwoman introduced a motion Wednesday to fine anyone who injures or cuts city trees. The city would consider tiered penalties based on the age, extent of injury and percentage of tree canopy lost. City officials would also look at creating an outreach plan to boost awareness of the city's regulations protecting trees.

The motion will come before the council's Public Works and Public Safety committees.

Currently, under Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 62.174, there are no fines for such acts of vandalism. However, the city does mandate that property owners pay what is known as an "in-lieu fee" of $1,945 for the removal of a street tree and developers must pay $2,612 when a required tree cannot be feasibly be planted on-site of a project.