A BENDIGO carpenter has lost his livelihood after his entire collection of tools were stolen from his padlocked trailer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rory Thompson, 20, had only left home for a short time last week when thieves broke into his trailer parked in his backyard and stole tools worth $7000.
"They stole everything I own. It's my livelihood and I don't do much apart from work," he said.
"I'm devastated - I can't even explain the feeling.
"I'd locked up all the tools because I've always been paranoid. But the reality is, it takes them five minutes to take everything."
Mr Thompson said he could barely work now his tools had been stolen - with his boss making allowances while he found a back-up plan.
"I can't do all the jobs I need to do. I'm pretty much a useless employee now."
Central Victorian Crime Scene Services Sergeant Craig Riddiford said the theft highlighted the message for people to remain extra vigilant with securing their possessions.
"At the moment tool theft is happening a lot - it's a common trend in country areas because we still have that country mentality of leaving things unsecured, unlocked," he said.
"We need to be more diligent, act on the things we see and hear and notify police if we see something suspicious."
He said police were investigating the Eaglehawk theft.