(MT) – Police are baffled by serious acts of tree cutting that occurred on Hwy.
26 on Cherryville Hill east of Sandy.

In the first week of February Oregon State Police and Clackamas County
Sheriff’s Office troopers and deputies responded to four separate incidents of
tree cutting that caused trees to either fall onto the highway or onto power
lines.

“What is starting out as a case of criminal mischief could quickly escalate into
a very serious crime if someone is injured or killed because of a vehicle
encounter with an intentionally downed tree on a highway,” said OSP
spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings
.
The most recent incident occurred late at night, approximately 11 p.m., Feb.
7, on the south side of Hwy. 26 near Baty Road and Terra Fern Drive. An
eastbound vehicle hit a fallen tree that appeared to have been purposely cut
to block the highway, according to OSP.

In another incident about five trees were cut along Terra Fern Drive and fell
onto power lines causing temporary power outages.

The trees were downed by chain saws and axes and were not taken for
lumber or firewood, but left at the location, Hastings said.

ODOT, Sandy Fire Department and PGE responded to the incidents to assist
with clean-up and some power outages reported by area residents.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact OSP
Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888 or Clackamas County
Sheriff’s Office confidential tip line at 503-723-4949.

Confidential text messages can be sent to CRIMES (274637 on a cell phone
keypad), with the keyword “CCSO” as the first word in the message.