It is really surprising that the sheriff's department, which had shown itself to be very competent in solving other crimes has not been able to solve this one. It makes one wonder WHY?
In an earlier life, I worked on some fairly sophisticated criminal investigations and solving this crime looks like child's play. It seems obvious that one or more of four homeowners is the perpetrator. Since all four homeowners benefited by the tree cutting, it is likely that the initiator contacted the other three to request sharing of the costs. In addition, when one looks at the number of houses in close proximity to the scene of the crime and thinks of the noise and commotion involved in taking down the trees, the operation must have been the talk of the neighborhood. It was certainly observed by a number the neighbors who must know who is responsible for it.
In addition, the perpetrator had to contact and pay a tree-cutting service to do the actual work. That contacting and payment would have left a trail that could be uncovered.
Therefore, a serious investigator would take steps like the following:
1. Subpoena the phone, credit card, and bank records of the four logical suspects for the relevant period of time.
2. Interview/subpoena, and perhaps offer immunity to, any tree-cutting services called or paid, by any of the four.
3. Subpoena, before a grand jury, the neighbors in the immediate vicinity and find out what they really know about the matter. How many people are willing to risk a perjury conviction to cover for a neighbor?
4. Subpoena all four of the suspects, cutting a deal if necessary to nail the initiator of the project.
However, this kind of rigorous investigation would engender a lot of bad publicity, perhaps even nationwide bad publicity, for The Villages.
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