Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man - and allowed a Cairnlea tradie to go back to work - after tools worth around $10,000 in total were allegedly stolen over the weekend.
It is alleged a man broke into a vehicle parked on Breadalbane Avenue in Cairnlea, then forced entry into a toolbox inside it, about 3.10am on Sunday, 20 November.
He allegedly stole multiple tools and nail guns before driving away, then returning to steal even more tools, before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
But he threw a spanner in the works when a 20-year-old apprentice tradie from Cairnlea spotted what he believed were his recently purchased tools on social media and began communicating with the seller.
After the usual 'Is this available?' message, the tradie managed to get enough details to make sure police could track down the alleged offender.
He'd hit the nail on the head as police attended a property on Belford Avenue in St Albans, where they located the items, as well as more tools which were allegedly stolen from other incidents in Brimbank.
A 35-year-old St Albans man was charged with three theft from motor vehicle offences, dealing proceeds of crime and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
With an empty toolbox once again, he is appearing at Sunshine Magistrates' Court today.
Investigators returned the tools to the tradie which meant he was ready to go straight back to work.
