Police have recovered a large number of tools stolen from a tradesman in 
Palmerston North.

The burglary happened on October 16 and on November 3 Police searched a 
local property and recovered a huge cache of power tools, hand tools and 
other building equipment.

Police were quickly able to identify the owner of some the tools due to 
personal details inscribed on them.

Cody, a local builder, was pleased to get his tools back promptly and has a 
message for all tradies.

“Record the serial number of your tools, mark them in a specific way and 
take photos so you have a record of what is yours,” he says.

Constable James Rastrick of the Palmerston North Police Tactical Crime Squad 
encouraged all tradespeople to mark their tools.

“Use a pen, or a soldering iron on any soft plastic and write your drivers 
licence number onto them.

“Police are able to access that number and straight away know who the owner 
of the tool is and return them.”

Constable Rastrick says thieves constantly target the vehicles of 
tradespeople.

“We have a huge volume of tools going missing each month and are constantly 
executing search warrants and recovering quantities of tools, sadly many we 
cannot identify an owner for.”

Constable Rastrick also asks dealers of second-hand goods or members of the 
public buying tools through social media to ensure there are no markings or 
numbers engraved on the tools they’re buying.

Check before you buy, if the deal is too good to be true, then it probably is 
and the grief it causes is not worth the savings you made.

As well as Cody's tools Police recovered a large quantity of tools that they 
are still seeking the owners for. If you've recently had building equipment 
stolen from you then call 105 and quote the file number 211103/4527.
 

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