Boston ‘tree ninja’ arrested again

The Brighton “tree ninja” is allegedly at it again.

Police on Monday arrested 66-year-old Joe Rizza, of Brighton, after officers saw him snap the branch of a tree off with his hands, according to a police report.

Detectives had been monitoring the area of 27 Peaceable St. after complaints about damaged trees in the neighborhood, the report said.

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At his arraignment Tuesday in Brighton Municipal Court, Rizza was released but ordered to wear a GPS monitor and abide by a curfew, Suffolk County District Attorney spokesman Jake Wark said. Rizza is due back in court Jan. 13.

Rizza, who has earned the nickname “tree ninja” has been in trouble for attacks on plant life before.

He was out on bail after his arrest in April for allegedly damaging a tree near the Brighton Elks Lodge with a hammer. Rizza then faced five counts of willful and malicious destruction of property and unlawfully carrying a dangerous weapon. A judge on Tuesday revoked Rizza’s open bail on that case, Wark said.

He now faces new charges of willful and malicious destruction of property, according to police.

Detectives believe Rizzawas responsible for six other incidents of vandalism to trees, a police report said.