Des Mullarvey woke on Tuesday to find $3000 worth of fishing items stolen from his garage.

He said the thief entered his house about 4am and police had released footage calling for help identifying him.

“It’s terrible to think people do that, I wasn’t brought up like that,” Mr Mullarvey said.

“It’s bloody disappointing that I tried to spend my life helping people and this is what happens.

“Unfortunately it didn’t surprise me the way people are these days, if it’s not theirs they and they want it they take it, it doesn’t matter if they’re 20 or 40.”

The theft was caught on security cameras that showed the man spent about 20 minutes inside the house, which was stocked with fishing gear and accessories. 

Mr Mullarvey said he paid to replace all the locks in his property because keys had been taken during the incident. 

“I had about 40 keys and they’ve left me with three,” he said.

“I’ve had to get all new locks and throw out a box of loose locks.”

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The retired motor mechanic said he was proud to have spent his life trying to help people.

“It makes me feel I should stop helping people because these people don’t help, they pinch,” he said.

“I suppose that’s the alternative but it’s not how I want to live my life.

“I was a proud tradesman and spent my life trying to help people and still want to.

“If these people wanted something that badly they should have spoken to someone who I’m sure would help them find a way to earn it.”

Mr Mullarvey said luckily his faith in humanity was hanging on thanks to the kind words of people stopping by to check he was okay.

“There’s a lot of nice people out there and there’s a few flies in the ointment and I happen to run in to one,” he said. “I’ll keep my chin up and try help the next person.”