What kind of dirtbag steals handtools from a 75-year-old Handyman? Tools of the trade for earning a living? A living to supplement Social Security income?
Last Sunday, Feb. 25, late afternoon I finished repairs on our downstairs toilet, put the tools away in the back of my Toyota truck’s camper shell, and as it was getting damn cold again for the night, I grabbed Joey, our Tuxedo cat, and took him into the garage for the night. Damn it was cold! I was tired from working that Saturday and also participating in the Ekphrastic Poetry Event at Arts Benicia with the First Tuesday Poets, so I did NOT return to the truck to confirm locking the back camper shell. Wrong! Monday morning I went to the truck to get my Jury Duty papers and noticed the camper shell was UNLOCKED! Not a good sign! Lifting the glass back, I saw my drill-driver in its black case was missing, and my full black, toolbag and my new-this-season,Toro leaf blower! Nice work, creeps! I left the truck parked in the street as my recently used trailer was still in the driveway and I had not yet returned it to our sideyard, normally I back it up very near the garage door and the well-illuminated (two exterior lights) driveway. I drove to the Benicia Police Department and gave them a full report. I will also do the same with our insurance lady. Since Tuesday was a dry, back-to-work day, I went to Home Depot and Ace Hardware to replace what I could remember in the toolbag. So far, what I recall missing:

1. Drill-driver, battery powered in black case.
2. Toro red, leaf blower
3. Black and red Husky toolbag missing:
(2) channel locks
wire side cutter
wire stripper
(2) 12’ measuring tapes
nail sets
Driver tips and small socket set
(2) Crescent wrenches
(2) 6-head screwdrivers
Magnetic pick-up tool
Stud finder
Putty knife
5/8” wood chisel
Pencils and Scripto marking pens
Exacto #11 Blade and knife handle
(2) needle-nose pliers
(2) Vise-grips
Erasers for wall markings
Micro-screwdrivers
Paint lid removers
Awl
(3) Combination files
Small grinding wheel and arbor
Electrical wire tester
(Total value of loss: $600-800)

Peter Bray lives, works, and writes in Benicia and has
written this column since 2008.
16 years as Handyman following
36 years in the corporate world.
See websites www.peterbray.org/pedro and www.handymanservicespeterbray.com

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