Mark Church, a forklift driver at MKM Builders Merchants, stopped raiders in their tracks by ramming the getaway car.
Two men recently drove into MKM Building Supplies in Stockton and started loading central heating boilers into the back of a van. Mr Church spotted the men “acting suspiciously” and challenged them, but before they could make a getaway in their van he reversed into them with his forklift.
The men fled on foot, leaving four boilers worth around £3,000.
Mr Church, 31, who has worked at MKM Building Supplies since it opened five years ago, said he was "a little bit shaken afterwards when it all sank in”.
Jason Horner, branch director at the depot, praised Church. Police were called and two suspects were later arrested.
A 23-year-old man and a 42-year-old man have appeared before Teesside magistrates charged with burglary. The 23-year-old was also charged with two driving offences.
Both were given conditional bail to appear at a later date.
