Brazen car thieves stole a ute with the owner’s dog still in it from a Warrnambool shopping centre car park on Thursday.
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The ute and dog – a red kelpie - were later found dumped a few streets away in Manifold Street.
A witness reported seeing two people get out of the ute and load a heap of tools into another vehicle before driving away.
Sergeant Callum McKinnon, of Warrnambool police, said the tradie had parked his ute near the chemist in the car park at the back of Target about midday and had gathered some tool to go and do a job nearby.
When he returned to his ute, it was gone.
“It didn’t take long,” Sergeant McKinnon said.
“Tools are quick and easy to get quick cash for.”
Sergeant McKinnon said tools were often sold on Facebook pages.
He said the culprits may not have realised there was a dog in the back canopy of the 2003 red Holden ute.
The man’s wallet, which contained $70, was also stolen along with the tools.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or contact Warrnambool police.