CASS COUNTY, MI — A citizen intercepted his stolen walnut tree at a local sawmill, taking back the valuable item before the thief could make money from it, according to a prosecuting attorney.

The incident happened in December. The tree thief, Trevor Wallace, was arrested and headed into a trial on Tuesday, Aug. 26, for a felony charge of concealing stolen property over $1,000, with a habitual fourth offense designation.

Instead, moments before jury selection, he pleaded guilty as charged to the felony and the habitual third enhancement instead, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said.

The plea allows him to avoid a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, due to the reduction of the habitual enhancement.

He stole an “extremely valuable” and fully mature hardwood walnut tree worth

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