Thieves targeting tradies' power tools

Power drills, nail guns and electric saws are becoming the items of choice for thieves looking to make a quick buck.

Police say they are seeing a growing number of reports for burglaries at construction sites, and were urging tradies to lock up their toolboxes.

It was something Isiah Reynolds, Pzazz Building managing director in Taranaki, had experienced first hand.

He says his tools worth more than $12,000 had recently been stolen.

The thieves had broken into the container the tools were stored in at a construction site in New Plymouth, and ransacked the property, he says.

The father-of-six says it was a huge blow given what his family was already going through.

"It's probably another kick in the guts because for me ... at the same time our sixth child all year has been in and out of Starship Hospital with heart problems, so it just topped everything off."

He says he knew several other tradies and contractors in the area who had their tools pinched in a similar fashion in recent months and it was incredibly frustrating.

"I don't think they quite know the effect it has, everybody thinks that business owners have got plenty of money but these are things that we've built up over time, it's our bread and butter, it's our income."

Detective Sergeant Grant Carroll says it's likely to be a nationwide trend.

"It would be fair to say that where there's construction going on ... there's an opportunity for bad people to come in and prey off hard-working tradies and it's just got to stop.

"We're asking the tradies to help us, so when someone comes to your site, challenge them, keep an eye out on where your tools are, have them locked up securely at night."

Grant also urged bargain-hunters seeking second-hand tools to be wary if the deal seemed too good to be true, as the tools could be stolen.

"These poor guys, you start off as a tradie and you've got to buy all your tools and the last thing you need is someone to come in and steal them, and then you're out of pocket.

"It affects your ability to get your career going, and it's just not a good thing."

Dave Mudge from the Registered Master Builders Association says while there was clearly demand for such items, most builders would not buy them.

"I think it could be DIYers or builders who don't have any respect for the industry that would probably take up the offer.

"I would like to think that reputable builders wouldn't give it a second thought."

Dave says the tools were likely being sold online on social media sites.

Isiah says those sites should require sellers to post the tool's serial number, which would help weed out thieves selling stolen tools.

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4 comments

Unfortunately...

Posted on 18-10-2017 08:30 | By penguin

...the scum and low lives who steal these tools, couldn't give a rats wazoo as to the consequences of their actions.


Countermeasures

Posted on 18-10-2017 11:12 | By Papamoaner

cctv is now so cheap it's worth installing so the camera calls you on your mobile when it's been triggered. You can see what's going on and call the police. The downside is the animals go to jail and we have to pay to feed them. +Bright lights with motion sensors are cheap too, and a good deterrent.


As I have said...

Posted on 18-10-2017 16:57 | By GreertonBoy

Those gps tracking disks are great... I say everyone get together (tradies) and set up a few trailers full of all of your old dead power tools... plant them so the scum cant resist.... then find out where they are taking them? We have to use technology against these pathetic 'you know whats'. Technology like this, as well as wildlife cameras and all sorts of things are so cheap these days. And... dont be silly enough to leave good tools on sites... not worth the risk...


@GreertonBoy

Posted on 19-10-2017 10:59 | By Papamoaner

Yes indeed. All it takes is a few tradies to get together and organise it. Need to consult a lawyer on entrapment law first. A friendly lawyer might do it gratis over the phone. Some things never deter determined thieves though. I chatted to two non-police security officers outside a Cebu bank last year. They both had semi auto 12g shotguns. One loaded with pellets and the other loaded with rifled slugs that can smash an engine block at 50 metres to stop a vehicle instantly. These guys don't muck around - we could learn a few things from them if we weren't so PC.


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