WEST JORDAN, Utah, Aug. 29, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Officers have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the vandalism of trees in West Jordan last month, which caused an estimated $40,000 in damages.
Wesley Pettis admitted to the vandalism of four of the damaged trees, and he could be responsible for others as well, said West Jordan Police Department Lt. Richard Bell.
Bell said police were dispatched Sunday evening to reports of a man acting strangely and talking to himself at the Willow Cove Apartments, at 9300 S. Redwood Road.
Police spoke to Pettis and realized he matched a description given by an alert citizen who may have witnessed one or more of the acts of vandalism.
Bell said Pettis also had cuts, scratches and scrapes on his arms. During the course of being interviewed by police, Pettis admitted to four of the incidents of vandalism. He was booked into jail on Sunday night on charges of felony criminal mischief.
More than 60 trees have been deliberately damaged since July 24 in the area of 2200 West from 7800 South to 9000 South, which includes Veterans Memorial Park, Detective Brett Madsen wrote in a news release Wednesday.
Madsen said many of the trees are damaged to the point of needing to be replaced.
Anyone with further information is asked to call the WJPD at 801-840-4000. Callers may reference case number 16H013317.
