April 3rd, 2008
Rare and irreplaceable cacti in Palm Springs fell victim to vandalism, their owner learning of the act upon waking up and finding the 10-foot-tall plants chopped into several large chunks.
Sometime between Friday evening and sunrise Saturday, vandals hacked down two saguaro cacti in Don Merrill's front yard on South Fern Canyon Drive.
The incident seems isolated, Palm Springs police Sgt. Mitch Spike said.
"I think it's a despicable act that terrorizes the neighborhood. I've had problems sleeping over this," said Fern Canyon resident Dan Nicodemo.
Anonymous residents have teamed up to offer a $7,000 reward for the identification and prosecution of the perpetrator.
"I go to bed every night thinking about a prowler or burglar coming into the house," said eight-year resident Gene Dippel, who said it seems crime has become more prevalent in the area.
"I just wonder what else they are capable of if they came in here with weapons," Nicodemo said.
The rare cacti were likely 60 to 70 years old and tagged by the Arizona Department of Agriculture, the state from which they were originally shipped.
The National Park Service said a saguaro is generally considered an adult at about age 125. It can weigh more than 6 tons and grow as tall as 50 feet.
Replacing the plants could run $5,000 to 10,000.
Police and residents ask anyone with information to call 323-8116.
I have to say that this was a shamful crime... I do not like vandals...
David
Hopefully they will be apprehended, but if the justice system down there is anything like up here, they will probably only get a slap on the wrist!
Don