50-foot tree stolen from woman's backyard

The theft of a 50-foot backyard tree has a Conejo Valley homeowner stumped.

Kelley Fornatoro of Thousand Oaks left on vacation Aug. 2 and returned a week later to find her 50-foot California peppertree missing from the backyard. Police Capt. Randy Pentis says it was felony grand theft.

Oxnard-based Julian's Tree Care says someone called for removal of the nearly 30-year-old tree. It took two days to cut in down at a cost of $3,500.

The company hasn't been paid and police also consider Julian's Tree Care a victim. Experts say it would cost up to $60,000 to replace the tree.

Fornatoro called a neighbour who watched her house while she was away and the neighbour was shocked to learn Fornatoro wasn't behind removal of the tree.