Builder ran away with my money but left some tools

[vik2017]

Hi, I am really gutted and wondering if someone has had the same experience. I hired a builder from MyBuilder (with 97% positive feedback) for garage conversion and he started the job week later than agreed but I did not bother much and just had a casual chat about it. Then work progressed a bit but after taking over 10k (to buy material, windows, doors etc) he disappeared, I have tried to call him, text him but no luck. Work is around 40% complete so, I am still losing more than 5k.
I do not believe he will return but he has left some of his tools so, my question is could I repossess his tools against the money I have paid. Do I need to inform police before that and explain the incident? How will police react if I repossess his tools without informing police?
Some of you would suggest small claims court, I found a year-old tread about the same person that someone tried this route but got nothing from him because he owns nothing.
Could someone please advise, I am fuming and gutted at the same time and cannot believe these horrible people damaging the society running away with hard earned money

I think this is the best you could hope for really. His car being taken is the icing on the cake. I hope you took photos for the memories.

My builder did things differently, never asked for any money up front. He rang the builder's merchant and ordered what he needed for the job then passed me his phone and I paid them directly rather than through the builder.

Every week the builder would invoice me for his labour and I would transfer the money from my account to his and he would provide a receipt. Every subcontractor I paid directly, so electrician, plasterer etc. The original quote included what the subcontractors would cost, materials and the builder's labour plus a labourer. It all came in pretty much on budget and on time. Rare but a great builder. He was also meticulously tidy too. And sadly no, he isn't doing building work any more.

I thought I would put the above so that anyone who is thinking of having work done in the future could see there is another way to pay. He came from word of mouth and I visited him on a job, so saw the site, his workmanship etc.

Yay. Well done with this. Your Police were good to come so quickly too.

Our kitchen fitter used DIY kitchens. Got an account set up in our name and our address so we paid for the units rather than him. An honest way for a tradesman to behave.

Great news. I told you MyBuilder are very good in situation like this. Very good.

Glad you got some satisfaction.

Wow sounds like something The A Team would be proud of op!!
Can almost hear the theme tune!!
Do do do do do do do do!!
Well done!