Mr Hicks said he tried to rip off the windscreen wipers as the car fish-tailed down the narrow suburban street trying to throw him from the bonnet.
"I was angry, I wanted to get into that car," he said.
"I think I broke (the windscreen wiper) and there should be a big dint in the bonnet because I was on it on my knees."
"I was furious. These guys were trying to steal my gear. That's my career they're trying to steal," he told Nine News.
Mr Hicks eventually lost his grip and fell from the bonnet as the car hit a speed of around 50km/h, escaping the ordeal with grazes to his face and body.
"I've watched a lot of action movies. They make it look a lot easier that's for sure," he said.
The thieves made off with an $800 nail gun but they appeared minutes away from completing a big haul, with tools scattered around the back of the trailer.
The self-employed carpenter priced the tools locked in the back of his trailer at around $15,000 and feared their theft would put him out of business.
Detective Senior Constable Vic Scherini said Mr Hicks' actions, while brave, were not something police encouraged.
"It's obviously very dangerous and we don't want it going from a theft to a serious injury or the possibility of death," he said.
Police are hunting two caucasian men aged in their 30s driving a dark-coloured late model Holden Commodore with a rear spoiler.
Det Sen Const Scherini said theft from the back of utes and trailers was a problem right across Melbourne and said the thieves were likely repeat offenders.
- AAP
