Unique trees stolen from one of SA's largest cherry producers
Torrens Valley Orchards is counting its losses after more than 40 trees were stolen out of the ground in a spate of bizarre thefts at its Riverland property.
Dozens of unique cherry trees have been stolen from a property owned by one of South Australia's largest cherry producers. The owner, Tony Hannaford, says the thefts may impact his business, particularly his export market. Torrens Valley Orchards, a prominent cherry producer, lost more than 40 trees from its Riverland property between September 29 and yesterday.
The young trees, about two years old and a metre tall, were ripped out of the ground by hand. The stolen trees are a patented international self-fertile variety from California, for which Hannaford has a special licence. The loss, estimated at more than $1,000, is disappointing to the producer as it affects potential export volume.
Police are investigating, urging anyone with information to come forward. The suspects, described as three Caucasian men aged 20 to 30, fled in a black SUV and were last seen travelling west on Thiele Road in Loveday.
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