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Forty cherry trees stolen from SA orchard
Police investigate the theft of more than 40 unique trees from one of South Australia's largest cherry producers, with export deals at stake.
In brief
Police investigate the theft of more than 40 unique trees from one of South Australia's largest cherry producers, with export deals at stake. More than 40 unique cherry trees were stolen from Torrens Valley Orchards in the Riverland, threatening export sales and prompting a police investigation. Originally reported by…
More than forty trees stolen
More than forty cherry trees have been stolen from Torrens Valley Orchards' Riverland property between September twenty-ninth and October sixteenth. The young trees are about two years old and a metre tall.
Owner warns of export impact
Owner Tony Hannaford says the stolen trees are a patented international self-fertile variety from California called Pacific Red. He estimates the total loss at more than one thousand dollars.
“The cherries grown in the Riverland are particularly directed towards the export market, and we do have our export buyers coming here next month.”
Three men flee in black SUV
The latest theft yesterday reportedly involved three men in a black SUV who fled the property and were last seen travelling west on Thiele Road at Loveday.
Hannaford built operation over decades
Tony Hannaford took over the orchard business in nineteen seventy-four and pivoted from his family's one hundred twenty year focus on apples to premium cherries.
Police urge public to report suspicious activity
SA Police is investigating the thefts and encourages anyone witnessing suspicious behaviour around rural properties to call police immediately. Hannaford says he will plant new trees next year.
What to remember
More than 40 unique cherry trees were stolen from Torrens Valley Orchards in the Riverland, threatening export sales and prompting a police investigation.
