Three thieves cut down a sandalwood tree on a vacant plot in eastern Bengaluru's Marathahalli early on Friday morning but could not cart it away as the loud noise of their electric chainsaw woke neighbours up. 

The men drove up around 3 am and started cutting the tree that was 15-20 years old. An elderly woman living next door woke up to the sound of the chainsaw and was alarmed to see the tree being cut. She raised an alarm, waking other neighbours up. But by the time they all rushing to the spot, the suspects took to their heels. 

The Marathahalli police rushed to the spot after being informed and have intimated the Regional Forest Officer (RFO). Forest officials will conduct a mahazar (inspection) of the place and seize the tree. 

The plot belongs to a man named Antony who lives abroad. His co-brother Raju, who lives in Whitefield, is the caretaker of the site, police said.