Man Arrested For Cutting Down Tree At Venice Park Crash Site: Police

VENICE, FL — A Sarasota County man was arrested Wednesday after intentionally cutting down a mature oak tree at Patriots Park, where a memorial had been set up at the site of an Aug. 17 fatal crash, Venice police said in a news release.

Randy Brinson, 43, was charged with criminal mischief involving damage of $1,000 or more, a third-degree felony.

During an interview with detectives, Brinson told them that a friend of one of the people killed in the Aug. 17 crash paid him to cut down the tree.

He first tried to cut down the oak on Aug. 21, but was unsuccessful, police said. He returned during the day on Aug. 26 and finished cutting down the tree.

Numerous diners and passersby witnessed the incident and provided police with descriptions and photographs. Investigators also used Flock camera data to confirm Brinson’s identity, police said.

The tree’s replacement value is estimated at about $50,000.

“We understand that people experience and express grief differently, but damaging public property and a memorial site is never an acceptable response,” Venice Police Capt. Eric Hill said in a statement. “Anyone found responsible for intentionally destroying public property will be held accountable.”

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