In recent times, California has witnessed a peculiar and concerning rise in crimes targeting a unique and living form of art—bonsai trees. Notably, the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in Oakland has been a recurring victim of these heists, with the latest incident marking the fourth theft in two years, causing a significant loss valued at around $20,000.
This string of burglaries has not only resulted in a financial blow to the institutions and individuals nurturing these miniature ecosystems but has also left a void in the bonsai community, given the irreplaceable nature of these stolen trees. The thefts are characterized by a high level of sophistication, suggesting that the perpetrators are not mere opportunists but individuals with a specific interest in these living treasures. The most recent heist involved a meticulously planned operation where culprits sawed through physical barriers to abscond with eight precious bonsai trees, including ancient Japanese apricot trees and a hinoki cypress aged over fifty years.