Photo: Contributed

Oliver's mayor says he plans to take concerns about prolific offender Ronald Teneycke to the provincial government.

A resolution was passed at Monday's council meeting to see if the mayor and others could meet with B.C. Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention to discuss Teneycke, Mayor Ron Hovanes said.

The community asked for help regarding Teneycke in 2007. He was most recently arrested last week, following a crime spree.

"We want to send a strong message that the public safety procedures and actions that took place over the last eight years were not adequate," Hovanes said. "And when we talk to the victims, they would suggest the action and procedures failed."

Teneycke, a prolific offender, was found last Thursday morning in Cawston after an RCMP officer involved in a search for the fugitive spotted a vehicle similar to one stolen the day before in Oliver.

He attempted to flee and, after being chased by police, was ultimately apprehended in an orchard.

At the time, he was wanted on warrants and was also suspected of robbing Eastside Grocery and shooting a man who stopped to pick him up on Baldy Mountain Forest Service Road. He also stole that individual's truck.

In 2007, according to Hovanes, Teneycke was released after serving a 12-year sentence for sexual assault. 

At the time, the mayor said, council asked the province to not return people who could reoffend to the community where they committed the crime.

It was also requested that resources be in place to keep the community safe, because returning someone such as Teneycke is taxing on a small police department.

The community was offered some assurances, but Teneycke did come back to live in the area.

"The frustrating part is he was returned in 2007 and, over the next eight years, did reoffend many times," said Hovanes.