Bashed Melbourne sparky sore and ute-less

A Melbourne electrician has been left with both a physical and logistical headache after being bashed and his ute stolen.

Frank Ascenzo said he was unloading his tools early on Monday night at suburban Balaclava when all of a sudden he found himself on the ground.

"I must have been knocked out," he told 3AW.

"I got up and saw my car driving away. I chased away on foot but it was too quick."

A 39-year-old man was arrested after allegedly crashing the stolen ute at St Kilda early on Tuesday morning, police said.

He was hospitalised with injuries suffered in the crash, and is expected to be charged with assault, robbery, theft and traffic offences.

Tradies are being targeted for their tools which can be cashed in, Mr Ascenzo said.

"It's just too easy to flog off the tools," he said.

"We've got to get into these pawn brokers and just put a bit more pressure on them not to accept stolen tools."