A man is accused of stealing more than $600,000 worth of unreleased limited edition Bluey coins featuring the beloved Australian children’s cartoon character and selling them online.
The unreleased “Dollarbuck” $1 coins, which featured an engraving of Bluey chasing a balloon, were allegedly stolen from a warehouse in Sydney’s west in June.
Police will allege the opportunistic thief was an employee at the warehouse when he stole the packages of coins from the back of a truck on June 23.
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He then allegedly sold the treasures online hours later.
“They are now being sold online for 10 times their face value,” police said.
The Royal Australian Mint launched its Bluey coin collection earlier this year when it released the eagerly awaited “Dollarbuck” $1 coins for collectors and keen fans.
Coins featured colour images of Bluey, the entire Heeler family, and Bluey and Bingo dressed up as the Grannies.
Police were alerted to the alleged theft on July 12, when officers were called to a warehouse in Wetherill Park and arrived to discover 63,000 unreleased Bluey coins had been stolen.
In true Bluey fashion, Strike Force “Bandit” was launched as detectives worked to track down those responsible.
Police searched a home in Sefton on July 31 and found 189 “Dollarbucks” and seized electronics.
On Wednesday, detectives searched a home in Westmead and arrested a 47-year-old man.
He was charged with three counts of break, enter and commit serious indictable offence.
The 47-year-old was refused police bail and will face Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.
Investigations continue.
Anyone with information that may help investigators is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.