A Cacti-Napper is Caught!

A 48-year-old man was recently arrested in connection with the theft of barrel cacti in the Dove Mountain area….FINALLY.  Finally, one of these criminals is caught and captured!  Not coincidentally, the man was a part-time landscaper.  I wish I could count the times I have seen cacti stolen off property.  Sometimes the missing cacti is in the rear of a lot, where neighbors can poach and not get caught.  I remember a couple of years ago some folks from Chicago called asking if I would sell their land, noting the frontage had a lot of barrels and saguaros for a very cool entry driveway.  I had the unenviable job of telling them that there were only, like 3 barrels and 2 saguaros there.  They sent me a picture of when they bought the property and, they were right, it was laden with precious cacti….all over the front.  Made me sick.  Still makes me sick thinking about it.