A Keremeos area couple says
they are being forced to take a
financial hit after a manhunt for a
known violent criminal came to an
end in their orchard in July.
Kamal and Partap Jit who own
SS Produce said about 100 of their
trees were damaged in a vehicle
chase between RCMP and prolific
offender Arthur Teneycke on July
23.
The manhunt also damaged
trees at the Taylor Farms orchard.
“About 100 apple, apricot and
nectarine trees were damaged.
They were fruit bearing trees so
the loss is big,” Kamal Jit said.
The orchard’s irrigation system
was also broken in several spots.
The Jit’s have fixed the irrigation
system as they could not wait
or other trees would be damaged
from not receiving water.
At this point the Jit’s have not
been able to find a way to be
reimbursed for the damage they
estimate to be about $10,000.
Teneycke is facing several
charges relating to the manhunt.
Allegedly he stole the vehicle that
was part of the pursuit that ended
in the orchard.
Kamal Jit said her crop insurance
does not cover the damage
because a stolen vehicle was
involved.
She contacted ICBC and was
told the same thing and advised
to go through her home insurance.
But there isn’t a home on the
land the orchard sits on.
She said she’s contacted the
RCMP because their vehicles also
drove through the orchard but the
process to claim damages has not
been made clear.
“OK it was a stolen vehicle but
the RCMP vehicles also damaged
the trees they must have insurance?”
Kamal Jit said. “We didn’t
do anything. We are the victims
here.”