Man robbed WWII vet of medals, guide dog's ashes: police

A man who allegedly broke into a blind, 90-year-old Melbourne man's house and stole his war medals and his guide dog's ashes has been arrested by police.

The 37-year-old suspect allegedly smashed a back window to gain entry into the World War II veteran's Ivanhoe home around 11am today, The Age reports.

The blind man confronted the robber who continued to hunt around for items despite the sole occupant collapsing on the floor, police said.

"After gathering items throughout the house including WWII medals and the ashes of the blind man's deceased guide dog, the offender fled on foot," Sergeant Kris Hamilton said.

The elderly man used his pendant alarm while on the ground as the robber fled the scene.

He soon knocked on the door of a nearby house.

The occupants then followed the man and called the police, believing him suspicious.

The alleged thief managed to lose his pursuers but police soon tracked him down.

"Using a bit of local knowledge and common sense the detectives headed straight for the railway station," Sergeant Hamilton said.

Detectives found the suspect at Ivanhoe railway station, allegedly still in possession of the stolen items.

He was arrested and was due to face court earlier today.

Source: The Age
Author: Nicholas McCallum, Approving editor: Chloe Ross