Teens arrested for breaking trees in Draper park


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DRAPER -- Two teenagers are being blamed for destroying 62 trees in a Draper park last month. Tuesday morning, police arrested a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy for the crime and may soon charge a third teen.

In the early morning hours of July 17, someone ripped apart the trees at Galena Hills Park, snapping them down and leaving them behind for others to just simply be shocked.


I can't believe that. It's their park. It's what it was built for.

–Draper Parks Manager Stephen Linde


"It was a big blow that we create this, and less than a year later people were destroying it," said Sgt. Gerry Allred, of the Draper Police Department. "This park was a big part of creating some nice open space the community can enjoy."

A tip called into the Draper police investigations unit broke the case. As shocking as the crime was, those involved were just as shocked to find out the two teens are from Draper; one lived right next to the park.

Damaged trees at Galena Hills Park in Draper on July 17.
Damaged trees at Galena Hills Park in Draper on July 17.

"I can't believe that. I can't believe that," Parks Manager Stephen Linde said. "It's their park. It's what it was built for."

Allred said there was no specific motive, adding it "was just a random act of stupidity" that cost Draper between $25,000-30,000 in damage.

Linde said typically with property crimes, like vandalism, there's so little evidence to go on. But in this case, the evidence may have come from the teenagers themselves bragging about it to others.

The teenagers' names are not being released because they are underage. Draper city says it is planning on replacing the 62 trees as soon as possible.

E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com


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