Over 40,000 stolen Bluey coins recovered by police
Australian police have recovered approximately 40,000 limited-edition coins featuring characters from the beloved children’s television show Bluey, following a theft that shocked collectors and fans alike. The coins, which had been produced by the Royal Australian Mint and were due for release later this year, were taken in July from a warehouse in Western Sydney. The theft reportedly included 63,000 coins, meaning nearly two-thirds of the stolen currency is now back in police custody.
A property that was around 10 kilometres (6 miles) away from the storage facility was the target of a police raid on Tuesday, which was the day that the case made its breakthrough. The operation was successful in recovering forty-six hundred and sixty-one of the stolen coins, each of which had a value of one Australian dollar ($0.65; fifty pence). Due to the great demand among Bluey fans, the authorities suspect that the coins were stolen two months prior to their planned release. Some of the coins had already been sold online at rates that were up to ten times more than their face value.
After the arrest of Christina Vale, who was 27 years old earlier that day, the raid took place. It is the third person who has been held in connection with the theft, and she has been charged with breaking and entering as well as disposing of stolen stuff. The police have asserted that Vale was used as a getaway driver for the other suspects, and it is anticipated that they will argue this claim in court. Additionally, in August, two males, Steven Nielsen, who was 44 years old, and Nassar Kanj, who was also 44 years old, were taken into custody. Kanj is suspected of providing assistance to Nielsen, who is an employee at the warehouse, and Nielsen is accused of being the mastermind behind the heist.
The investigation into the theft, named Strike Force Bandit in a nod to Bluey’s father on the show, has attracted widespread attention. Bluey, which chronicles the adventures of an Australian Heeler dog family, has become a global sensation since its debut. Created by Brisbane-based Ludo Studio in partnership with BBC Studios and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the series has achieved significant international success, broadcasting in more than 60 countries, including the UK, the US, and China. Last year, Bluey ranked among the top 10 streaming shows in the US, with over 20 billion minutes viewed on Disney+ alone.
The coins, fondly known as Bluey dollarbucks, are distinct from other collectible sets that the Royal Australian Mint released earlier this year, which sparked an immediate buying frenzy among fans. Each Bluey dollarbuck features one of the show’s cherished characters and was anticipated to be a prized collectible even before the theft.
The stolen coins were intended to celebrate the popularity of the Bluey series, which now boasts more than 150 episodes across three seasons. Additionally, an interactive Bluey experience is set to open in Brisbane next month, further cementing the show’s cultural impact.
With the recovery of the coins, New South Wales Police are continuing their investigation to trace the whereabouts of the remaining stolen currency. Prosecutors and law enforcement officials are preparing evidence for the upcoming court proceedings against the suspects, who face serious charges related to the theft.