Man accused of burning Mesa’s ‘Merry Main Christmas Tree’
Dec 13, 2017, 8:49 PM | Updated: Dec 14, 2017, 11:59 am
(Mesa Police Photo)
(Mesa Police Photo)
PHOENIX — A man has been booked on one count of arson of a structure after police connected the man to the burning of the “Merry Main Christmas Tree” in Mesa.
Mesa police and Mesa Fire and Medical arrived to a fully engulfed Christmas tree and while it was quickly put out, it suffered substantial damage.
The tree, which was sponsored by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce and more than a dozen private businesses back in 2015, was valued at more than $40,000.
During a sweep of the area, authorities located Samuel Antone Johnson, 34, near the blaze and he admitted that he started the fire with a book of matches. He did not give a reason as to why he committed the crime.
And even though the tree was a total loss, that didn’t stop Mesa from pushing forward.
On Wednesday, the city announced that it will be replacing the tree.
“While the news is devastating, it certainly won’t diminish Mesa’s holiday spirit,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said. “The city is working on activating the site for this weekend including a live tree that will be transplanted to a city park later this month.”
If interested in making a donation, you can visit the Mesa Chamber’s website here.
‘Merry Main Street’ will continue as schedules with the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, which is open through Jan. 5 except Christmas day.
For a complete list of all the activities, click here.
