Acting Sergeant Mick Delaney, from the Central Victorian Response Unit, said an anonymous caller alerted police to the presence of the stolen utility in Wood Street, Long Gully on Wednesday morning.

A possible sighting of the offender was made nearby the same morning.

CCTV captured footage of the suspected offender, who is described as a male in his early to mid-20s with dark hair, wearing black pants, black shoes and a black jumper with grey sleeves.

While the victim of the theft recovered their Toyota Hilux, a set of Wilson golf clubs including an R9 driver and a light blue and dark blue golf buggy were taken from the vehicle, and are yet to be found.

The ute was stolen from a Strathdale property between 9pm Tuesday night and 5.30am Wednesday morning.

It was not known whether the ute was left unlocked, but Acting Sergeant Delaney said no keys were stolen during the incident, so it appeared the offender “started the car by their own means”.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Central Victorian Response Unit on 5448 1300 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.