War medals stolen from the mailbox of a veteran's grandson in Wellsford, north of Auckland, have been returned to their rightful owner

Earlier this month, Patrick Conlon reported to Police a parcel of World War One medals awarded to his grandfather Elmer James Conlon had been taken.

Police say yesterday, the Wellsford War Memorial museum contacted them saying the medals had been found in their returns bin.

Senior Sergeant Damian Lawn, says they've been fingerprinted and enquiries into who took them are continuing.