Officers attached to the Orana Local Area Command target action group attended a property on Jerry Smith Street in Narromine on Wednesday, and made enquiries relating to a number of break and enter offences.

Shortly afterwards a search warrant was executed at the property, with the list of items retrieved more like a builder’s Bunnings wishlist than what you would expect to find scattered around a residential property.

Power drills, a jack hammer, a laser level, an air compressor, camping equipment, welders and socket sets were among the myriad of items police located.

As a result of the search, police charged the 28-year-old with seven counts of receiving stolen property.

“It’s a significant retrieval by our officers,” Orana Local Area Command investigations manager Detective Sergeant Mark Meredith said.

“There has been a rise in the number of power tools being stolen as we have a spike in the building industry around the region.

“Some of the property we’ve retrieved has been identified but we’re appealing to tradies from across the Orana LAC area, and more specifically the Narromine and Tomingley areas, to come forward and contact us if they have had some of their gear stolen.”

The man was granted conditional bail by police and will front Narromine Local Court on December 6.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated matter police have also confirmed a number of building sites in the Southlakes development area in Dubbo were targeted by thieves last weekend.

“It’s not the first time that area has been targeted, and its frustrating,” Det Sgt Meredith said.

“Our advice again is for tradies and builders in that area to lock their equipment up and not be complacent.

“These are tools that help the workers earn their living, and the gear isn’t cheap.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dubbo Police on 6883 1599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.