Garden Troll......?

Question

My friend has a neighbor who comes into her yard (and the neighbor on the other side) in the middle of the night. He pulls up flowers, digs up flowers and tramples them down. They know that he's the one doing it, because they've seen some of their plants replanted around his house! He's been doing this for years and they don't know what to do. Would you believe this guy is over 70 years old!?
Any suggestion as to how to stop him or catch him? They're at their wits end.

I had suggested a bare wire and a puddle of water!

He's definitely not senile!

Answer 1

this might not be the answer your looking for but maybe buy him a few flats and leave em on his door step at night. might work.

Answer 2

I would definitely talk to him. He is stealing and causing property damage while stealing from your friend. People always feel bad when it's someone old, but he should know better. If you think he a crazy or senile, you may want to see if maybe he has a caregiver that you could talk to instead. Or you could always just go steal back your friend's plants when he is out stealing from the other neighbors' gardens!

Answer 3

If it happened to me I'd front up to the guy. Speak to him reasonably, tell him you recognise the plants that have appeared in his yard as the ones that have disappeared from yours. Say that you'd be happy to give him cuttings from your plants if he asks for them. Ask him not to come over at night any more as you enjoy gardening too & it is very upsetting. Install a motion-
sensing light.

Answer 4

they could try video taping him. than showing it to him tell him if they catch him one more time they will go to the police and get him for trespassing. hopefully that will work