WHEN brazen thieves snuck into a Sippy Downs home late Friday night or early Saturday morning they stole more than an unemployed step-father of two boys' tools and the four-wheel-drive he cherished.

They robbed a family of its sense of security in suburb where they should feel safe.

The white 2003 Mitusibishi Pajero had been parked in the driveway of Karl Dwyer's Statesman Circuit home was his pride and joy.

While he slept on the couch Friday night, thieves punched a hole in the front screen door, reached inside and unlocked it.

They then entered the home and stole the house and car keys from a coffee table beside him and stole the Pajero.

They took it no further than Bellaboo Rd, Landsborough, where a $700 chain saw and other tools were removed and the vehicle torched.

Karl said his partner Angela had to convince him to leave the wreckage after they had gone to inspect the vehicle after police called Saturday morning to be informed them of the its fate.

"It was my pride and joy that little car," he said.

"I'm devo-ed.

"I spent Friday working on it and put the tools in to help my mother-in-law rebuild her fence and to help another lady with her garden."

He revealed he had spent more than $8000 on the vehicle and had it running perfectly at the time of the theft.

He holds little hope insurance will cover the full value of those inputs.

Karl said there was considerable concern in Sippy Downs about the number of older teens hanging around at night.

There had been a number of incidents where teens have been seen trying to break into homes or been caught sitting in cars.

"My partner was in tears most of the morning," Karl said.

"It's not bloody nice. They think of nobody but themselves.

"To steal someone's tools is a terrible thing."

Until he can speak with his rental agent about replacing the locks, he has now taken to placing timber wedges under the external doors at night because of fear of a return visit.

"We feel violated to have someone inside the house while we slept," Karl said.

"I'm just grateful the boys weren't here."

Maroochydore Police Sgt Darren Nolan said thefts of that nature had become more regular

"They can't hot wire cars any more so they are breaking in to find keys," Sgt Nolan said.

"It's a lesson to don't rely on the security door. You must lock the main door as well.

"Lock all doors and hide your keys out of sight."

Anyone with information can contact Maroochydore Police or Crime Stoppers.