Caught on camera: Tools worth thousands stolen in NW OKC from hardworking electrician, father

A local electrician and father of six lost the work tools he had been collecting for more than 20 years. The tool cases were stolen out of the back of Matt Brown's truck last week while he was on a job in northwest Oklahoma City.

Police were immediately called after the theft last Friday. It has become a community effort to identify the suspected thief caught on camera.

"I've been an electrician for 23 years, so I have quite the collection," said Brown. 

However, this week Brown has been working with a gifted starter set and loaned tools. Brown's livelihood was stripped from him while he was working a side job near Northwest 56th and Portland Avenue. 

"This guy was just so brazen to just pull up next to my truck and start pulling tools, loaded up his car and came back five minutes 58 seconds later," said Brown. "Got a second batch of my tools which was pretty much everything at that point." 

Brown was devastated when he saw his collection worth thousands gone.

"Sentimental and gut-wrenching," said Brown. "My emotions have been all over the place."

The owner of The Sweet Mimosa, where the tools were stolen, and Brown's close friend Rachel Clanton. 

"I have watched him build up his business, raise his family," said Clanton. 

Clanton has been helping the father of six through social media. Her Facebook post has been shared thousands of times.

"If there's anybody who deserves help with building back up everything he had," said Clanton. "It is Matt." 

Brown is thankful for the support he has been shown by the community. 

"I want to be able to show my kids when bad things happen, good people come through," said Brown. 

Citizens are asked to call the Oklahoma City Police Department if they recognize the suspect and know of his whereabouts. 

Brown does not think he will get the stolen tools back, but he wants the suspect caught so that he does not steal from someone else. 

A GoFundMe has been set up for Brown to assist in buying new tools.