An alleged coin bandit has been charged by Australian police with stealing more than A$600,000 worth of limited-edition coins based on the hit children’s television show Bluey. The collectable currency caused a frenzy when it went on sale by the Royal Australian Mint in June this year.
Police say they received a report last month that 63,000 unreleased $1 Bluey coins had been stolen from a warehouse in Western Sydney, where the man allegedly worked. Some of the coins are now selling for ten times their original sale price.
The 47-year-old suspect was arrested after a raid on a home and has been charged with three counts of break and enter. Steven John Neilson was denied bail when he appeared in Parramatta Court on Wednesday.
Police allege that the stolen coins were sold online shortly after being taken from the warehouse. While around 1,000 coins have been recovered, authorities believe the rest are in general circulation.
The Royal Australian Mint declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. The New South Wales Police investigation was codenamed Strike Force Bandit, after Bandit who is Bluey’s father in the show.
Bluey, a popular children’s show about a family of dogs, has gained international success and is now broadcast in over 60 countries. The stolen coins, branded as Dollarbucks, were a hot commodity for both fans and resellers, with sets selling for A$55 and individual coins for A$20.
The BBC found that resellers were offering sets for up to A$400 on eBay, showing the high demand for these limited-edition coins. Despite the frenzy surrounding the coins, there is no suggestion that the coins being sold online were among those stolen.
With more than 150 episodes across three seasons, Bluey continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its heartwarming stories and lovable characters.
