In a bizarre turn of events, a man has been charged over the alleged theft of a gorilla statue named Garry from a retirement village in Melbourne’s north. The 1.5-metre garden ornament went missing on 6 June, leaving residents devastated. The statue was recovered on Wednesday afternoon after the police air wing located it in a yard in Reservoir, 20 minutes away from the retirement village.
First Constable Anju Vashisht described the case as strange and expressed confusion as to why someone would steal the community mascot. Police raided a home in Reservoir and found Garry along with 24 suspected stolen drivers’ licenses and prescription medication. A 33-year-old man from Heidelberg Heights surrendered to police after substantial news coverage of Garry’s return.
The man was interviewed and charged with theft, handling stolen goods, and driving while disqualified. He has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear in the Heidelberg Magistrates Court on 30 August. The return of Garry has brought relief to the residents of the retirement village, who can once again enjoy the presence of their beloved gorilla statue. Police continue to investigate the motive behind the theft and the circumstances that led to Garry’s disappearance and subsequent recovery.
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