A BUILDER who had thousands of pounds worth of tools stolen claims to have found them just days later on a table at a boot sale.

Police are investigating after a row broke out between the 30-year-old builder from Benfleet and a stall owner at Dunton Boot Sale on Sunday.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Found - the Dunton Boot Sale

Speaking about the theft he said: “I have run my own building business for about ten years and I went to get into my van and found my tools, everything, had been taken.

“The tools are worth about £4,500.”

The theft took place overnight between Thursday and Friday.

The victim added: “You hear different things about where to look when things are stolen.

“I had tried a few boot sales and pawn shops and someone said why not try Dunton Boot Sale.

“ So I went to the boot sale as I was looking for my tools.

“I was with my dad and he called me and said I needed to see something.

“I saw a stall with my tools on it and started packing them up.

“The man on the stall challenged me and it became heated.

“A crowd started to gather so I called the police.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called to attend a car boot sale on Dunton Road after it was reported that stolen tools had been found at the site.

“Officers attended just after 8am on Sunday, April 28 and recovered several tools, which had allegedly been taken from a vehicle on Downer Road North in Benfleet overnight between April 25 and April 26.

“A man from Romford, in his 40s, is assisting us with enquiries as the investigation continues.”

The Echo attempted to contact those running Dunton Boot Sale about the claims made.

There is no suggestion they knew about potentially stolen goods for sale.