A YOUNG Ballarat couple are “over the moon” after a trailer containing tools, allegedly stolen from them in Ballarat last week, was found during a police search of a property in Ararat on Wednesday.
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Harry Hooke and Paige Gray were told by police that their trailer, containing thousands of dollars worth of tools, had been found after a search warrant was executed at two properties.
“Relieved doesn’t begin to describe how we are feeling. We are both so happy and over the moon,” Ms Gray said.
“We don’t have to go and spend all that money again. It’s a big learning lesson and we will be looking into insurance.”
The couple were left distraught after the enclosed trailer, which was detached from Mr Hooke’s ute, was stolen from the front of their Lydiard Street home.
Mr Hooke said his carpentry business could now continue as usual.
“I didn’t expect to see anything again. I’d say it’s been a pretty exhausting experience,” he said.
“The Ararat police have done a great job.”
He said all of his tools had been recovered.
“I’m feeling close to normal. I haven’t got a trailer any more, but close to normal,” he said.
Detective Senior Constable Steve Oliver, of Ararat police criminal investigation unit, said two men in their early 20s had since been charged over the alleged theft.
Detective Senior Constable Oliver said all of the tools belonging to the trailer were found, with the trailer itself suffering some damage.
The two men have been charged with theft, handling stolen goods and firearms offences.
They will face Ararat Magistrates Court at a later date.
A BALLARAT gardener is at a loss after heartless thieves stole the backbone of his business.
A “gut feeling” woke Dave Kiely up at 2am when he felt something wasn’t quite right.
At 4am he went outside and saw that his lawn mower and whipper snipper had been stolen from his trailer at the front of his Black Hill home.
“This has dropped me to the point where I’m thinking of canning my business,” Mr Kiely said.
“I’m sick of it. And just to think these idiots can walk the streets and do this, it just chills my blood.”
He later found the $900 lawn mower on the bank of the Yarrowee River, near Nicholson Street.
“They’re my crucial tools. Had I not have found the mower by sheer luck I’d be out of business,” he said.
“This has dropped me to the point where I’m thinking of canning my business."
- Dave Kiely
He said it was the second time in three years his garden tools had been stolen.
Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Ballarat Police Station on 5336 6000.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.