A tradie’s decision to install a CCTV camera inside his ute has paid off — nearly.

Sick of having his tools pinched, Jamie Grenfell put the camera in his ute’s cabin at the weekend.

Then he left the ute unlocked, and waited.

“And it worked!” he told 3AW Breakfast this morning.

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However, the thief remains at large.

Police have released the footage this morning, which shows a man rifling through the work tools before stealing a battery charger in the early hours of Tuesday, March 13 on Belford Road, Kew.

Detectives believe the incident may be linked to a theft on the same vehicle the week before.

On that occasion a number of tools were stolen from the vehicle between 3 and 5am on Tuesday, March 6.

Investigators have released CCTV footage of the incident and are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.