ANTELOPE-

An Antelope man says he tracked down an alleged tool thief when Sheriff’s investigators told him they were too understaffed to help.

Wes Lincoln’s toolbox was sitting on the side of his home when they were taken early one morning.

Lincoln says the whole theft was caught on his home surveillance system. He got on Craigslist and quickly found a listing that matched what was taken.

Lincoln, a husband and father, told his wife that he was going to try to get the tools back, but was going to call the Sheriff’s Department for backup.

They told him they didn’t have the resources to go with him.

“They called him and left a message and said all stolen property had to be returned in 24 hours,” Lincoln said.

Lincoln told FOX40 that he and two friends met up with the alleged thief and confronted him with the surveillance images, and got the tools back.

“We pulled out the pictures from the security system and showed them to him,” Lincoln said. “His demeanor immediately changed. He was very remorseful about it.”

Lincoln says he feels sorry for the alleged thief and plans to give him clothing for his kids.