POST FALLS - A gift to the community resulted in two police investigations.

Post Falls city officials say about 40 unplanted Crimson Pointe plum landscape trees valued at $100 each were stolen from Q'emiln Park Sunday night or Monday morning after a tree giveaway program for the community was held on Sunday.

In another Post Falls case involving trees, which police believe is unrelated to the theft, Chief Scot Haug responded on Tuesday to a Craigslist ad of a Post Falls resident trying to sell 11 trees of the same species that were given away at the park. The trees in the ad were listed for $150 each.

"It's a disappointment,"Dave Fair, Post Falls parks and recreation director, said of the cases.

Individual homeowners were allowed up to three of the donated trees per family during the giveaway program. Groups and homeowners associations were given more in a separate giveaway last week.

But for people to either steal the trees or to try to turn a profit on them is disheartening, Fair said.

"Most people are really good and stay within the rules," said Fair, adding there have been problems during some of the previous eight years of the program, but not every year. "But there are people who take advantage of the program. To try to make a profit off of a goodwill gesture is sad."

More than 3,000 trees were available from an anonymous donor this year and about 30,000 have been donated to date. Area businesses pay for the shipping cost and others contribute to the Arbor Day celebration. The city organizes the event.

Haug responded to the Post Falls home where the Craigslist ad was apparently placed. He said an elderly woman, who appeared "nervous," denied placing the ad and having trees to sell. She admitted she obtained a newly planted tree in her yard from the tree giveaway.

Haug said he didn't search the property because there was no evidence a crime had been committed.

"When it's not a criminal matter, it's difficult for us to search property," he said. "But I think we accomplished what we wanted by showing up. Within 30 minutes of us leaving, the ad was taken off Craigslist, so you can draw your own conclusions."

Haug said if someone obtains trees within the program's limit and turns around and sells them for profit, there's no crime.

"But morally and ethically, that's not the intent of the program," he said.

As for the theft at the park, Haug said the site was on officers' driveby list to keep an eye on, but the crime must've occurred between calls. Detectives are reviewing park surveillance.

Fair said the stolen trees, even though they were leftovers from the giveaway program, had been spoken for by individuals and groups to use.

He said, during the event itself, a tree service truck carrying more than the allotted trees was also reported circling around the park.

Fair said those caught taking advantage of the free trees could be banned during future years, but it won't deter organizers from changing the program.

"We have to go with people's honesty and we're not going to get to the point of asking for IDs," Fair said. "We don't want to change the rules when almost everyone does it right and only a couple do the wrong thing."

Those with information are encouraged to call Post Falls Police at 773-3517 or leave an anonymous tip at www.postfallspolice.com.