Police have uncovered two AFL Premiership medals during a search warrant in Seaford, relating to a spree of burglaries across Melbourne's southeast.
The 2019 and 2020 medals were believed to have been stolen during an alleged burglary at a home in Malvern on 18 December 2022.
The medals' authenticity have been verified at AFL House this afternoon.
An investigation is underway to determine how they came to be in the man's possession.
The medals will be returned to their rightful owner once the court process has been finalised.
The discovery was made following an unrelated investigation into almost 30 alleged commercial burglaries at cafes, bakeries and restaurants in Brighton, Chelsea Heights, Dingley Village, Hampton, and Sandringham between 20 July and 15 August this year.
It will be alleged a sledgehammer was used to smash the doors and windows of the businesses, before cash, tills and safes were stolen.
The Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at a home on Austin Road, Seaford, just before 7am today.
Police also seized house breaking implements, electronic equipment, and clothing relevant to the investigation.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at the home and has since been charged with 104 offences, including 29 counts of burglary, 29 counts of criminal damage and 17 counts of theft, as well as theft of motor vehicle.
He was remanded to appear in Moorabbin Justice Centre this afternoon.
Quotes attributable to Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Grant Lewis:
"Given the sentimental value attached to these medals, we were extremely pleased to uncover them during our search warrant today.
"We look forward to reuniting the medals with their rightful owner, given the significance winning a flag would hold for both him and his family.
"This morning's warrant was the culmination of a police investigation into an alleged burglary spree across south-east Melbourne, where over 30 businesses were also targeted."
