A local man was arrested this week for felling 22 public trees on the hillside in Beco do Pérola in Taipa near his home a few months ago, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Ho Chan Nam said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The 55-year-old suspect surnamed Cheang told the police that he works as a handyman.
According to Ho, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) reported to the Judiciary Police on September 7 that 22 trees on the hillside of Beco da Pérola (珍珠圍) had been felled and damaged in varying degrees. The bureau reported an estimated loss of 107,700 patacas.
Ho said the Judiciary Police identified Cheang as the suspect and arrested him in his flat near Beco do Pérola on Tuesday. Cheang only admitted that he felled seven trees between May and June to make use of the space to grow edible plants which require sunlight. He told the police that he was willing to compensate the Cultural Affairs Bureau for the loss.
Cheang was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) on Tuesday, facing an aggravated property damage charge, according to Ho.
