Air ambulance paramedics prepare to transport a patient from South Okanagan General Hospital. Though unconfirmed, sources say the patient was reportedly shot in Oliver earlier today. RCMP are believed to be looking for prolific offender Ronald Teneycke, who is also the chief suspect in a store robbery in Oliver last week. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
Emergency response teams (ERT) and the RCMP continued scouring the Oliver area and parts of Osoyoos Wednesday in a heightened search for prolific offender Ronald Teneycke after it’s believed Teneycke shot and wounded a man earlier in the day.
Sources say police are looking for a white pickup truck that may have been stolen.
Police road checks were established in Oliver and Osoyoos in an attempt to recover the vehicle and its driver.
“We believe him to be in the area. At this time we consider him to be a volatile individual so we have called in ERT to assist with the ground search,” said RCMP media relations Cpl. Dave Tyreman.
It is believed Teneycke has been hiding out in rural Oliver.
He is wanted on three outstanding warrants following his failure to attend jail for making or possessing explosives.
Police believe the description of a man who robbed Eastside Grocery in Oliver last week is similar to Teneycke’s description. The robbery suspect had a firearm.
The heightened search began late Wednesday morning when an air ambulance helicopter transported a patient from South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver to Kelowna.
A credible source told the Chronicle that a man had been shot earlier Wednesday morning.
Another source within the Oliver hospital said the victim picked up a hitchhiker, and when he realized who it was, told him to get out.
The driver subsequently fled the vehicle and was allegedly shot in the lower back with a small calibre rifle.
The suspect reportedly took the man’s truck.
One businessman said he witnessed ERT personnel with assault rifles and shotguns at one of the road checks.
Stay tuned for more updates.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
Ronald Arthur Teneycke
RCMP were in Okanagan Falls Wednesday near the home of Ronald Arthur Teneycke, who is sought by police. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
RCMP were in Okanagan Falls Wednesday near the home of Ronald Arthur Teneycke, who is sought by police. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
