Firewood thieves target expensive trees

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Fifteen mature oak trees were stolen despite near-freezing temperatures in Grapevine, Texas, from a subdivision that had been trying to preserve the trees.

A police report said the big oaks, which had been protected by a brick wall, were removed at some point between Sunday and Monday and a witness reported seeing a white pickup truck in the area Sunday loaded with firewood, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported Friday.

"The witness saw a crew of guys in the area," Grapevine police Sgt. Bob Murphy said.

"I've never had this happen before," said developer Ronald Slovacek of Denton. "I guess they were taken for firewood."

Police estimate the stolen fire wood was worth about $75,000.