Two men who say they stole a pine tree last month so child could have a Christmas tree ended up in jail following an investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
HCSO NARRATIVE:
“HCSO deputies first took a report on the stolen tree on Dec. 28. The HOA president at Four Seasons on Lanier in Flowery Branch reported he had video evidence of the two suspects entering the neighborhood the evening of Dec. 22 in a black pick-up truck. The pair then cut down the tree with a chainsaw, loaded it into the truck and drove away. The investigation was turned over to HCSO’s property crimes unit.
The investigation led authorities to Luke Edward Henson, 20, of Buford, and Charley Stephen Russell Parker, 22, of Flowery Branch.
During the course of the investigation, investigators determined the pair had cut down the tree so that a child in Parker’s family could have a Christmas tree. Both suspects admitted their involvement in the theft.
The HOA agreed to forego charges if Henson and Parker would pay for the $500 to replace the tree and restore landscaping damage. Both suspects indicated they could not afford to pay for the damages.
Each was arrested on Jan. 2 on a charge of misdemeanor theft by taking. Each posted a bond of $1,300 and was released from custody the same day.”