Man Arrested for Stealing Old-Growth Redwood From State Park

Authorities have arrested one of two men recently suspected of stealing old-growth redwood from Humboldt Redwoods State Park in northern California. Cameras caught the men removing sections of a fallen redwood tree and loading them into a truck. State park officials turned to the public for help identifying the suspects, and then arrested one.

“Christopher David Guffie, 63, of McKinleyville, was taken into custody on June 10 and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on multiple felony charges, including PC 487(a) Grand Theft,” wrote California State Parks in its most recent press release. The release also says they’ve identified the second suspect and are currently looking for him.

[RELATED: Hot-Dog Thief Caught Red Handed (Suspect Has Paws, Though)]

This incident may be part of a larger operation. The original press release says, “Over the past 6 months State Park Rangers have made 4 arrests related to old-growth redwood theft in the park but need assistance identifying two (2) additional suspects and their vehicle . . . captured by remote surveillance.”

California State Parks further states:

“Investigators estimate that the value of the public resources stolen from Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park exceeds $32,000. In addition to the extensive damage done to the forest floor by the suspect’s vehicle, the removal of an old-growth log prevents those crucial nutrients from being provided to the forest over hundreds of years.”

Header stock image of Humboldt Redwoods State Park by Pgiam/Getty Images

The post Man Arrested for Stealing Old-Growth Redwood From State Park appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.