Tradies’ vehicles hit – Smash-and-grab break-ins
Brazen thieves have continued to hit local tradies hard targeting expensive tools, this time in nighttime smash-and-grab-style vehicle break-ins on work vehicles parked outside their homes.
Devastated Lake Hayes Estate plumber Russell Longthorn had more than $2000 worth of hand tools – a prized collection built up over 20 years in the trade, stolen from his Lakes Plumbing Services van after thieves smashed the back window and helped themselves overnight on Sunday (19-20 April).
Police say the break-in happened sometime between 5pm Sunday and 7am Monday.
“I came out early on Monday morning, blurry eyed before my coffee and noticed all the glass shattered at the back of my van. I was in complete shock!” Longthorn says. “They took a large black and yellow Dewalt toolbox with all my hand tools. That’s my livelihood. Those things are irreplaceable. They’re the tools you miss and get used to having,” he says.
Longthorn says he’s lived in Acheron Place for more than 15 years and never had any incidents like this. “We went away years ago and forgot to pull down our garage door and nothing was taken. It’s just insane.”
Police have been urging tradies to ensure tools and valuables are secured and, if possible, work vehicles are parked on private property or inside a garage.
Longhthorn, who doesn’t have a garage, says he has security cameras operating around his house and driveway. “I now have one facing the road.” He says he’s now faced with a loss of earnings and two insurance claims.
His electrician mate from Cedar Drive in Kelvin Heights was also targeted the next night with the driver’s side window of his Toyota Hilux smashed on the street in front of his home and his $1000 radar detector stolen. His wallet and money sitting between the front seats was untouched, as were his valuable electrician’s tools in the back.
Longthorn says another plumbing friend had a side window smashed in his work vehicle parked up the driveway on his property behind a gate with the keys still in the ignition about 10 days ago. “They took nothing, but it looks like the security light came on so they probably ran off,” he says.
Police are urging tradies to lock away tools and equipment and have everything clearly labelled so it can be easily identified. They also want to hear from people who may have seen any suspicious behaviour in these areas or have information that can help with their enquiries.
