13-year-old arrested in 'Chainsaw Chicken' vandalism (Oregon)

KGWdotCom ^ | 4/28/10 | Teresa Blackman

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RHODODENDRON, Ore. -- Police have arrested a suspect who they believe intentionally cut down trees and power poles along Highway 26 in Sandy - at times, causing them to fall on the busy roadway and endangering drivers.

The suspect's name has not been released but police described him as a 13-year-old Sandy boy who lives in a trailer in the Sandy area.

There have been several incidents, dating back to last December, where trees were mysteriously cut down on Cherryville Hill east of Sandy as well as several power poles. On Wednesday, investigators said they also believe the tree cutter was responsible for a number of burglaries and arson fires in the area.

Tree-cutting endangered lives

Trees cut to fall across Hwy 26 were responsible for two dangerous vehicle collisions, both late at night, and both resulting in minor injuries. Background: Woman hurt after crashing into tree

Also, one evening in mid April, the late-night vandalism left 500 people without power in rural Clackamas County.

More: East Metro power outages

Since late January there had also been a half-dozen incidents where trees or power poles have been cut down along Cherryville or Terra Fern roads, according to Lt. Gregg Hastings with Oregon State Police.

"It would just take one time for someone to be driving when it's dark and they don't see a tree fall in front of them," Hastings said of the danger the vandal posed. "Swerving to miss a tree -- or hitting one -- could injure, even kill people."

The suspect's name was not released since he is a juvenile. He appeared in court Wednesday afternoon on several charges including first- and second-degree arson, reckless burning and criminal mischief, according to detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

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Crime and Punishment *ping*

This has been a hot topic around Sandy, Oregon since at least Christmas, and this kid is lucky that the Police got him before one of the locals did.

I kid thee not, there have been a bunch of people sitting up in deer stands at night with cell phones and all kinds of weapons, just waiting to hear a chainsaw start up at 2 AM. Everybody hunts in Sandy; elk, deer, bear, bighorn sheep...you name it. I doubt they sell a lot of fresh meat in Sandy because everyone's freezer is always full...

Instead of sitting comfortably in jail this evening, the State Police could very well have still been working the scene where this kid's body was found, pinned to a tree with an arrow, or worse...

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Oregon and Washington *ping*, please...