A Kyneton building company has been dealt a devastating blow after thieves twice raided its factory, making off with up to $90,000 worth of tools.
Impact Build managing director Luke Said said the theft had left the company’s team feeling “defeated”, with the stolen equipment including tools belonging to two employees.
The company’s Regent Place factory was first burgled between 7.20pm and 8.40pm on August 22, before thieves returned on August 24 between 2.20am and 3.40am.
Project manager Hayden Castle arrived at the factory about 7.15am on August 24 and called Mr Said straight away.
“He said, ‘Don’t panic but the whole factory’s been broken into’,” Mr Said said.
The stolen tools, mostly Milwaukee branded, are estimated to be worth between $80,000 and $90,000.
But the loss is about more than dollars, with some of the tools carrying significant sentimental value.
Mr Said said some belonged to Hayden and dated back to a previous business he had owned.
“These tools were potentially the last memories he had of his previous business,” he said.
“Tools do hold a sentimental value.”
CCTV from a neighbouring factory captured two suspicious vehicles at the property, one appearing to be a blue Ford Ranger with a black stainless steel snorkel with an exhaust fitted to it and the other a black Ford Territory.
Mr Said is urging other local businesses to check their CCTV footage for anything that could help identify those responsible.
A call out on social media attracted a huge amount of support, with local businesses offering to help out and DeWalt Power Tools donating a number of tools to the team.
“I think a lot of people can relate to it because as a tradie or as a small business in general, tools are such an easy thing for someone to steal, but it’s our complete livelihood,” Mr Said said.
While the business has insurance, it is unlikely to be enough to cover the full complement of tools stolen.
Detectives from the Macedon Ranges Crime Investigation Unit are investigating.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage that could assist is asked to contact the CIU on 5421 2900 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.