Tradies who have had items pinched recently from building sites in Melbourne’s north and north-west are being urged to contact Sunbury police.
The call comes after a Sunbury man, 22, was charged with several counts of burglary and theft, following the seizure of allegedly stolen building materials valued at almost $200,000.
Detectives from Broadmeadows criminal investigation unit raided a Sunbury house on July 19, finding dozens of items, including ladders, bathtubs, doors, door handles, wheelbarrows and power tools.
Detective Senior Constable Lee Barton said police believed the items had been taken from building sites at Greenvale, Keilor and Sunbury.
He said it took police all of last Monday morning to transport the items to Sunbury police station.
‘‘It’s going to take us a lot longer to log it all,’’ Detective Senior Constable Barton said.
The raid follows an ongoing investigation, advanced with information from the public.
‘‘We would encourage builders and residents in new estates to take note and, if they see something suspicious, contact police.’’
Detective Senior Constable Barton also called on tradies to ensure they marked valuable items.
‘‘Engrave them with a licence number so they can be returned. It also makes them harder to resell.’’
The man will face Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on September 30. Builders who have had items stolen should phone 9744 8111.
