A tradesman targeted during a string of break-ins at construction sites has been left unable to work and thousands of dollars out of pocket.
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Shaun Jefferies arrived at his job site at a new estate on Avenel Circuit on Friday morning to discover his tools missing.
Entry had been forced to the property, located near Castle Creek Road in Wodonga.
The floor and wall tiler had left his tools locked in a laundry, and said he was filled with "dread" when he realised they had been taken by a thief.
"With Covid, work has slowed down which has eaten into my savings," he said.
"To have this happen ... I don't know what to feel.
"I don't have savings any more and it's going to cost me about $4000."
Mr Jefferies was trying to source new equipment yesterday, including specialist tiling tools.
While some items could be replaced at Bunnings, other equipment was only available at a tiling shop.
He was unable to return to work until yesterday.
"It's not just the monetary value," he said.
"It's also the time you've got to spend trying to replace those items.
"It costs a lot."
Investigators believe an SUV with mag wheels and a chrome nudge bar is linked to the offending.
The offender, or offenders, targeted homes under construction.
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Building materials, a dishwasher, stove top, basin, shower recess, hinges, lighting and a ladder have been stolen.
Mr Jefferies lost Makita tools including a drill, impact driver, battery grinder, and various other equipment including a drop saw and laser level.
He attended pawn shops to see if anyone had tried to sell them and checked online selling pages to see those responsible had listed the equipment.
"I'm keen to get everything back," he said.
"If anyone has any information, that would be grouse."
Police urged people to be on the lookout for vehicles in construction sites at night.
"If you see someone at a construction site in the middle of the night, please contact 000 and report the matter as suspicious," a spokesman said.