WARSAW — A Columbia City man was arrested after he cut down two walnut trees valued at $7,707.47.

Scott Marshall Huntley

Scott Marshall Huntley, 37, 314 North Oak Street, Columbia City, is being charged with theft, a level 6 felony.

In the fall of 2015, a homeowner was approached by employees of Arbor Tech. Huntley and another individual asked the homeowner if he was interested in selling two very large walnut trees. The homeowner told the men he was not interested in having any of the trees cut on his property.

On March 1, 2016, officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and an Indiana State Forester examined the two walnut trees on the homeowner’s property. The trees were appraised with the value of $7,707.47.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers interviewed the individual who was assisting Huntley. The individual advised that they cut down trees on one property with permission and continued to cut down the two walnut trees on the victim’s property. After the trees were cut, Huntley told the individual to cover up the stumps on the homeowners property.

Huntley then told the individual that he didn’t like the fact that he stole the trees, and if comes down to it he’ll just have to pay the price for it.