Police are beating their chests after cracking the mysterious case of 'Garry' the missing gorilla statue.
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The 1.5 metre garden ornament disappeared from Leith Park retirement village at St Helena in Melbourne's north on June 6.
It is believed Garry was taken off his perch of tree stumps, loaded onto a vehicle and driven way, devastating residents.
"When he first came in many years ago, he was a bit of an eyesore," First Constable Anju Vashisht told reporters on Wednesday.
"But after many years, they've come to love him and he's part of the community.
"To find Garry, it was on our top list."
After a tip-off police homed in on a residence in Reservoir, roughly 20 minutes drive away and during a covert fly over by the air wing, officers spotted Garry in the yard of the property.
"That was the icing on the cake, honestly," Const Vashisht said.
Officers raided the home on Monday and escorted the silverback back to a police station, before returning it to Leith Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Police have spoken to a resident of the Reservoir property where Garry was found but wouldn't confirm if they were the suspected gorilla-napper.
"Once we arrest that person, we'll be able to find out further," she said.
Const Vashisht acknowledged it was a strange case and could not explain why anyone would steal the community mascot.
"That's the million dollar question, isn't it," she said.
"Believe me, that's the first question I'll be asking that person."
Australian Associated Press
