A local marine mechanic had almost $5,000 worth of specialized tools stolen from the middle of Ringgold Road, Saturday evening.

The victim, who did not want to be identified, told East Ridge News Online, that at about 6:30 p.m. he was in his truck making a turn from a side street onto the 4200 block of Ringgold Road when he heard his tailgate fall down. When the tailgate fell, his rolling tool bag fell into the roadway.

The victim said when he realized what had happened, he pulled over into the parking lot of Fernando’s to turn around. While he was waiting at the red light at Ringgold and McBrien Roads, he saw a pickup truck stop, a man jump out, pick up the tool bag and throw it into the bed of his truck.

“I couldn’t get the tag number,” the victim said. “I was hoping somebody would be honest, but they weren’t.

“It’s going to be a real hassle,” he said. “You can’t rebuild a tool box like that overnight.”

The victim described the pickup as a mid-2000 model white Ford F-150 with chipped and peeling paint.

The tools inside the red and black 24-inch by 30-inch rolling bag included a a number of Dewalt impact drivers and specialized tools to work on boat engines. He said he has all the serial numbers which he will furnish to the East Ridge Police Department.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crime is urged to call the East Ridge Police Department at 867-3718,