UPDATE 12.45 PM:
HOMEOWNER Rodney Bentvelzen said he may have disturbed the thieves who stole his late father’s war medals.
Mr Bentvelzen said at a media briefing today that the thieves may have just grabbed the case containing the medals without realising what was inside, and then made their escape.
He indicated the medals were an irreplaceable memory of his father, a nine-year navy veteran who passed away in 2004.
“They mean everything … they’re an heirloom to hand down to my children and my grandchildren.”
EARLIER:
POLICE are hunting burglars who stole prized World War II medals from a Narre Warren home.
The medals were awarded to a sailor on a Dutch torpedo boat and were stolen from his son’s home in Littlecroft Avenue.
The victim told police that his father’s boat was tasked with detecting mines in shipping lanes and that he was seriously injured when his vessel exploded.
Police said the burglars forced open a rear sliding door between 2pm and 4pm on Monday 8 June.
They ransacked the house and stole a blue canvas case containing the five Dutch navy medals, a navy uniform and cap, and an album of war photographs.
The victim said that despite his father’s injuries he went on to live a long life, eventually passing away at the age of 84 in 2004.
Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives have released an image of the five medals and are urging anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
