Charges after alleged theft of bizarre object

A 33-year-old man is in custody over the alleged theft of “Garry the Gorilla”, a much-loved statue that graced a retirement village in Melbourne's north-east.

The giant silverback disappeared on June 6 from the village of Sainte-Hélène.

Police located Garry during a search warrant at a Reservoir address on Monday.

“Following significant media coverage of Garry's return to the retirement village on Wednesday, a 33-year-old man from Heidelberg Heights has come forward to police,” a statement said Friday.

“He was interviewed by appointment this morning and was subsequently charged with theft, receiving stolen goods and driving while disqualified.”

Robin, a village resident, said she and everyone at the care home were “very excited” to have Garry back among them.

“We're all very excited,” she said.

“We're in shock, he's been missing for so long. Why weren't there millions of police looking for him… but he's back anyway and that's all that matters now.”

Garry sits at the front of the village.

“You can't miss it,” she said.

Police have deployed aerial surveillance to help locate Garry.

The man was released on bail and will appear in court in Heidelberg on August 30.

Photos from the mission show Garry leaning forward in a residential yard.

In addition to Garry, investigators also seized 24 suspected stolen driver's licenses and a quantity of prescription drugs during the search.