Thief swipes tradie’s tools
CARPENTER Steve Williams had $5000 worth of tools to use at work last week.
On Monday, he was left with just a hammer, rags and three broken tool boxes.
Overnight on Sunday, Mr Williams’ company car – a Mitsubishi Triton – was broken into on a quiet Mermaid Waters street.
“I feel violated. Dirty. It’s not a nice feeling. It’s the first time something like this has ever happened to me,” he said.
“Went out for dinner on Sunday, and came home, checked everything was locked on the back of the truck. It was.
“That was about 10pm, then went to bed. Heard nothing all through the night. Woke up Monday morning about 6.15 and found all the tool boxes open – and empty.”
Among the items stolen were a Paslode framing gun, a Paslode finishing gun, a Milwaukee drill set, Milwaukee multi tool, Bosch angle grinder, Dewalt circular saw, 300piece Makita box set, power leads and box, and smaller hand tools.
Nothing was more three years old.
“At least $4000 to $5000 worth of tools, not something I can cough up the money for and replace straight away,” he said.
“They cut two padlocks off, than which I can’t find. And jemmied the toolboxes open.
“There were three toolboxes all up, one which is never locked, just has rags in it. One had all the power tools – which is the important one, and the second had bits and pieces. There’s pretty much nothing in there. They took everything, including the hand tools.
“But they left me my hammer, so at least I can swing a hammer this week.”
Mr Williams said he was planning on walking along his street to see if neighbours had CCTV vision from the night.
Police said they were investigating the theft.
“Two tool boxes which had padlocks on them were jemmied open and a quantity of tools stolen,” a spokesperson said. “There was no other damage to his vehicle and investigations are ongoing.”
Police advised locals to be vigilant and lock belongings inside if that was an option.