‘Tree Ninja’ Charged with Destruction of Property
By Steve Annear GLOBE STAFF APRIL 15, 2015
Brighton, Mass. — A man known to police as the Brighton “tree ninja” was arraigned Wednesday in District Court for allegedly damaging a tree using a hammer.
Joseph Rizza, 65, of Brighton, was charged with five counts of willful and malicious destruction of property, and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon.
Police said they are investigating Rizza in connection with several years of reports of similar incidents.
“This ‘Brighton Tree Ninja’ would either chop down, or damage beyond saving, young trees that were planted in Brighton,” Boston police said in a statement.
Earlier this month, detectives set up surveillance cameras in the parking lot near the Brighton Elks Lodge. On
Wednesday, police said, detectives took Rizza into custody after they saw him enter the lot and begin to cut down a tree.
Jake Wark, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley, praised investigators for nipping this case in the bud.
“It started with input from Brighton residents, continued with the strategic deployment of public safety cameras, and resulted in charges that could otherwise have been very challenging to prove,” he said.
In March, Rizza was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device and given a curfew after being charged with vandalizing a tree on Winship Street.
On Wednesday, the judge ordered Rizza to be held in lieu of $7,000 bail on the new charges. Wark said Rizza will be held for 60 days even if he posts bail, because he violated the conditions of his release in the March case.
His next court date is May 19.
1 Comments on: ‘Tree Ninja’ Charged with Destruction of Property
Comment By: Nunya@askmeagainseewhathappens.com
Known that crazy bastard since we was in grammar school. Had a thing about trees. Not sure if he fell out of one once, hit his head or what. But he hated the damn things since for always.
Elms, oaks, birch, bonsai or fruit tree—doesn’t matter. Man’s an equal opportunity woodist.
Now I don’t know about no ninja bullshit. He ain’t no Japanese and just ‘cause a guy whacks down trees at night, all the sudden he’s a silent assassin? Seems like hype to me. Somebody trying to sell newspapers.
I heard people around here saying it’s pretty weak, him hacking up defenseless trees. I can see that. Not like you gotta chase ‘em down or put up with them begging for mercy or hear their screams as you take a hatchet to them. I mean, really, where’s the fun?
But to each his own. He was good to have around when you wanted to build a fire, I’ll tell you that much. Johnny on the spot when you need some kindling and firewood. ‘Course, most of the fires around here involve gasoline soaked tampons and insurance money, I kid you not.
Ask me, he took it too far. Do what you’re gonna do and then move on. Not him though. It was personal for him. Guess he couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
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