A young Killylea tradesman has been left reeling after heartless thieves broke into his work van and helped themselves to tools and materials inside.
Sam Nicolay had been parked outside his girlfriend’s house in Dromore on Monday night and woke the next morning to find he had become the target of what appears to be a spate of similar thefts across Counties Down and Armagh.
The 24-year-old, who has been carrying out electrical work since he was just 16, has appealed to anyone with information on the theft – an attack on his livelihood – to come forward.
Sam, speaking to Armagh I, recalled what happened.
“I looked out the window and saw a car parked on the opposite side of the road to the van,” he explained. “I didn’t really think much of it because it’s in an estate and there’s people in and out all the time.
“I just happened to look out as they were driving away, caught brief details of the number plate, but it wasn’t enough for the police to be able to say, ‘oh, we know who they are, they’ve been doing this for ages’.
“I went and made my breakfast, made my lunch, and then went out to the van, and I saw my wallet was lying in the driver’s seat. Then I looked in the back.
“They’d taken my cash in my wallet and bigger tools. They took my boxes that were full of materials. It was sort of strange, it doesn’t really make any sense. I have a lock-box that’s full of power tools, but they didn’t even try to break in there to get them.
“They took my radio and all my materials and all the boxes that the materials were in and they stole a big light as well.
“It was just absolute madness. I just stood there shaking. I was like, what am I actually supposed to do now? I just phoned my girlfriend and then she came out and then phoned the police.
“The police actually responded really quickly. They were very good. There is CCTV, but nobody caught anything. They will probably be unable to catch them.
“I’ve opened a report with police yesterday morning. The forensics came out there too and they took swabs of one of my boxes I keep materials in that’s wasn’t stolen, a big green tub. They also found a print on the inside of the door as well. They got it and it’s already been sent off to hopefully catch them, but again, there’s no CCTV, so I don’t know if they can even really tie them to it then, unless they find the tools obviously.
“There’s been quite a few robberies in Dromore and even Loughbrickland a few weeks ago and that night as well, so they did quite a few people.”
In all, Sam estimates the cost of replacing everything that was stolen from himself to be in the region of £1,000.
The young electrician currently works for someone and has been travelling to Dublin for his job. He also undertakes his own work on a private basis in the evening times and on weekends.
The hard-working Killylea man has been heartened by the offers of help after sharing details of what had happened on social media in the Banbridge area, praising the “good community” there.
And, fortunately for Sam, the theft, while undoubtedly a major setback, will not prevent him from continuing to do his job.
“I have enough tools in work to sort of get me by,” he added. “The stuff I had locked away, they didn’t get to. They didn’t get my main tools. It was just bigger things; they stole my radio and the big work lights and they’re really expensive, but I can still do my day’s work. It’s just the mental effects of it really.”
Sam is now encouraging everyone – especially others working in trades – to remain vigilant and consider taking extra precautions with their property, such as installing CCTV, or investing in a secure container at the side of the house and parking in front of it and securing their van. Failing that, he believes it might be worth considering bringing expensive tools into the house overnight.
“That’s what happens up towards Christmas. I’ve been speaking to quite a few people and it always seems to be in around Christmas when they steal stuff off you,” he said.
“It’s a reminder to everyone, especially fellow tradesmen, to stay vigilant and make sure your vans and equipment are as secure as possible.
“It’s absolutely sickening that someone thinks it’s acceptable to break into another person’s van and steal the tools they rely on to make a living. These aren’t just tools – they’re essential for getting out and doing our jobs every day.
“If anyone is offered any tools for sale, notices anything suspicious or hears anything that could help, please get in touch.”
Anyone who has any information can contact the PSNI on the non-emergency number 101.
