BPD Wales Avenue Larceny

In June of 2005, a larceny occurred on the North Side of Binghamton, New York. Sometime between the morning of Monday, June 20, 2005, and 2:00 PM on June 21, 2005, valuable Bonsai trees were stolen from a Wales Avenue residence.
Bonsai is a Japanese term which describes the art of cultivating miniature trees. It is the art of dwarfing trees and plants and developing them into aesthetically appealing shape and color through prescribed techniques. It’s origin can be traced to ancient Japan, and the teachings of Zen Buddhism. Given proper care, Bonsai can live for hundreds of years, being passed from generation to generation. Bonsai trees can be valued in the thousands of dollars.
The Wales Avenue resident was growing a number of potted Bonsai trees in the southwest corner of his back yard. At some point during the previously mentioned hours, the perpetrator(s) entered the back yard and picked up two of the trees. Because of the size of the potted trees, one individual could very easily have carried both from the backyard. A total of two trees were stolen.
The stolen trees are described as follows:
Red Japanese Deshojo Maple Tree - approximately 12’ in height and valued at over $300.00.
Red Japanese Maple - approximately 8” in height, valued at $200.00.
Each of the trees was planted in it’s own clay pot. These pots were stolen along with the trees.
For Bonsai enthusiasts and owners, the monetary value of the plants does not truly reflect the worth of the trees.
Along with specific suspect and stolen property information, any observations of suspicious people, vehicles or activities in the area, at the time of the incident, could be helpful. The potted trees could easily have been carried away by one individual.

BINGHAMTON CRIME STOPPERS IS OFFERING A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000.00 FOR INFORMATION WHICH LEADS TO THE ARREST AND INDICTMENT OF THE SUSPECT IN THIS CASE.