TWO STOLEN premiership medals belonging to Richmond star Shai Bolton have been uncovered during a probe into an alleged prolific burglar.

Bolton's 2019 and 2020 medals were stolen from his home at Malvern in Melbourne's southeast during a robbery in December 2022 while he was interstate.

The medals were uncovered on Tuesday morning during a search of a home in Seaford as part of a probe into a spree of robberies, Victoria Police have confirmed.

"An investigation is under way to determine how they came to be in the man’s possession," a police spokesperson said.

The medals had been verified as authentic at AFL House and would be returned to Bolton once court processes had been finalised, they said.

The discovery was made as part of an unrelated probe into an "alleged prolific burglar" and robberies at more than 30 businesses in 2024, police said.

Police will allege a sledgehammer was used to smash the doors and windows of cafes, bakeries and restaurants in Melbourne's southeast during a two-month spree.

A 36-year-old man arrested at the Seaford address has been charged with more than 100 offences including 29 counts each of burglary and criminal damage.

He will face court in Moorabbin on Tuesday afternoon.

Detective Sergeant Grant Lewis said he was "extremely pleased" the medals were found due to their sentimental value.

"We look forward to reuniting the medals with their rightful owner, given the significance winning a flag would hold for both him and his family," he said.

An AFL spokesman confirmed the medals had been verified and would be returned to Mr Bolton.

An AFL premiership medal is one of the most cherished awards in our game and we know how devastated Shai was when they were stolen," Jay Allen said.

"On behalf of everyone at the AFL and the Richmond Football Club, we thank the Victoria Police for locating his 2019 and 2020 medals."