Police said that a man walked into the Lyell McEwin Hospital’s cardiology unit at around 1pm last Thursday and took the “Wally the Galah” painting off a wall.

He was filmed by security cameras strapping the artwork to the roof of his Commodore and driving away.

Officers later searched a Salisbury Heights house and reported a 38-year-old man for theft and possessing a prohibited weapon, but the painting wasn’t found.

The man will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court at a later date. Anyone who knows the location of Wally the Galah is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au