Thieves who stole a stash of construction equipment in the back of a parked pickup may have gotten more than they bargained for.

Forest Lake Police Sgt. Rick Peterson said thieves in Forest Lake grabbed a possibly hazardous nuclear density tester that contains highly radioactive material, in addition to a generator and drill.

On Thursday afternoon a worker from Asset Management, a construction company, reported the missing equipment that is worth an estimated $10,000.

Sgt. Rick Peterson said the Toxler Nuclear Gage is a tool used to measure moisture content and the density of soil and building materials such as concrete.

Peterson said he has been told by the Minnesota Department of Health that the device poses no health hazard if not damaged.

But the radioactive material could pose a health hazard if the devise is handled incorrectly or tampered with, he said. The nuclear density tester was inside a large yellow box much like a tool box.

Police Chief Clark Quiring said the box had recently been inspected and cleared by the Department of Health. He said the boxes are inspected periodically to check for damages and to make sure the device is not leaking.

The box is 30 inches long by 14 inches wide and is 17 inches tall. It weighs 29 pounds. Peterson said the box is clearly labeled to indicate the device contains radioactive material.

Peterson said city police were notified of the felony theft at 2 p.m. on Thursday and believe the device was taken overnight.

A $1200 Honda power generator and a $1600 Milwaukee diamond cord drill were also taken from the pickup, parked at 407 SW 11th Ave. The Toxler Nuclear Gage is worth an estimated $7000.

Quiring said if the public finds the device they are to notify the police department immediately and stay away from the box.

He said police would set up a 15 foot perimeter around the box and trained officials would take care of the box.

Anyone with information about the theft or finding materials taken from the truck should call the Forest Lake Police Department at 651-464-5877.

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