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Woman stumped by theft of a tree
It was axed as she vacationed
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Courtesy photo The California pepper tree removed from Kelley Fornatoro's backyard is the one on the left in this earlier picture of the home.
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More from Conejo ValleyThe 50-foot California pepper tree was in Kelley Fornatoro's backyard when she went on vacation Aug. 2.
It was gone when she got back a week later.
Thousand Oaks police are calling it grand theft, a felony.
"I couldn't even accept it," Fornatoro said about the missing tree. "I have to walk on the area."
It took two days and a sizable crew from Oxnard-based Julian's Tree Care to remove the nearly 30-year-old tree from her Rustic Court home in Thousand Oaks, neighbors told Fornatoro.
The question both Fornatoro and the police are asking is who hired the company to remove the tree?
The tree removal cost $3,500 and the company hasn't been paid. A police report lists the company as the second victim in the case along with Fornatoro.
What is known, according to the police report, is that someone phoned Julian's Tree Care, asking that the tree be taken out.
Julian Rodriguez, the owner of Julian's Tree Care, did not return calls for comment. A man who identified himself as Rodriguez's nephew said he was "gone for a few days."
Police Capt. Randy Pentis said having a person allegedly call a tree service to remove someone else's tree is rare.
"It's criminal," Pentis said. "It's grand theft of property."
The resilient Schinus molle can be messy. An evergreen, prone to reproducing easily, it tends to shed year-round, dropping leaves, yellow flowers and red balls reminiscent of peppercorns.
Replacing the tree that was cut down with one similar in age and stature would cost $52,000 to $60,000, according to other tree service companies Fornatoro consulted with. The price includes labor and special equipment.
"They do well in this climate," said Dave Mortimer, a certified arborist not involved in the case. "Once established it can take off by itself. It never needs any kind of care. It does very well in the heat and requires very little pruning, unless you want to maintain a certain size."
The tree stood tall and prominent in photos used to advertise the three-bedroom house, which was for sale.
Fornatoro kept the pepper tree pruned.
She spent $675 two years ago to have R&S Tree Service trim the tree. Rick Solties and his crew paid particular care to cut back the branches near the back fence that might infringe on a neighbor's yard.
"It's not like a tree that grew wild," neighbor Bruce Stanton said. "She cultivated it every year."
But there was one neighbor who complained occasionally about the tree, Fornatoro said.
Fornatoro's sons discovered the tree was missing when the trio returned home from vacation Aug. 10.
Fornatoro called the neighbor who watched her house while she was away. The neighbor was shocked to learn Fornatoro wasn't behind its removal.
The single mother and elementary school teacher called police.
"He commented on how open my backyard looked without the tree," Fornatoro said of the responding deputy.
"Right away I knew that it wouldn't be taken seriously. I had to insist on a report."
Fornatoro said she contacted the City Attorney's Office.
Pentis said the deputy did quite a bit of work on the case, outside of his purview as a patrol deputy, contacting a possible suspect and other parties involved.
The case, which is an open investigation, has been assigned to a detective.
There was no gaping hole left behind when the tree was removed. The tree removal crew filled it in and covered it with some of the yard's ground cover, which is now beginning to yellow without the tree's shade.
Every time she tells her story, Fornatoro relives the theft. She said she feels violated. "They would have had to move a jungle gym," she said. "It's creepy. I want them to get these guys."
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 17, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure sounds like a neighbor with a plan !
Posted by julie.medina on August 17, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That would tick me off..
Posted by Ventuckey on August 17, 2007 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Woman stumped by theft of a tree"
- I love the title :)
Posted by Metalhaid on August 17, 2007 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like how "the deputy did quite a bit more investigative work outside his purview, contacting a suspect and other parties..." Considering he's a patrol deputy and all, he probably considered it a welcome break. Certainly an unusual case. I too would investigate the tree service--do they *really* take jobs on over the phone, without a signed contract? Crazy. Of course, the perpetrator could have met the crew and signed something at the residence; they wouldn't necessarily have asked for ID...this is one for Perry Mason. ;-)
Posted by imbetnonit on August 17, 2007 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Her new nickname is Stumpy? Her tree made like a tree and leaved? Seriously though, crime is branching out into all areas.
Posted by ThinkingForMySelf on August 17, 2007 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That does sound like a neighbor at work on this tree removal. At least now in her advert for the home, she can say the yard was recently landscaped, or would that be landscraped.
I feel sorry for her. The tree company can put a couple of 8-12 feet trees in the yard, and groom with a few plants to make amends.
Unbelievable.
Posted by angrygirl8284 on August 17, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so glad I am not the only one to find this story comical. That Santa thing is hysterical!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 17, 2007 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can you even imagine coming home and finding out what she did. Geez I really feel for her!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 18, 2007 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Probably thought she was on something. Sad!
I really feel for her.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 20, 2007 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well seems like the person (thief) was pretty wise. I would think he didn't use his own phone. Maybe a friends phone? or payphone? But it is worth investigation.
I am pretty sure it was a irate neighbor who didn't like the tree. The tree can not be given back it was chopped down into no telling how many pieces. But I do really hope she finds out who the culprit was and sues for the value of the tree. Which was about 60,000.00 !!!!!! I think she would be happy with that! I would.......
Posted by karma on September 6, 2007 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A couple of years back I remember reading or watching a story similar to this. Where the home owner was actually involved in fraud. I really home this is not the case. It is sad to see a 30 year old tree go. I just think something doesn't sound right here.
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