A box stolen during a Melbourne break-in three days ago containing the ashes of stillborn triplets will be returned to the family today.

A 17-year-old boy found the box on the side of the road at Melton South, in Melbourne’s outer western suburbs.

The boy took it home and gave it to his mother, who contacted police.

Victoria Police Senior Constable Adam West said the box will be returned to Joanne Valiukas and her family after forensic testing.

“We believe it [the box] was broken into. Whoever took the box has tried to ascertain what was inside,” he said.

“We’ve been conducting a few tests on it and we will return the ashes to the family today.”