Man charged over theft of Bluey coins worth $400,000

In a surprising turn of events, a man has been charged by Australian authorities for allegedly stealing a significant amount of limited-edition coins inspired by the beloved children's television series Bluey. The total value of the stolen coins is reported to be over A$600,000, which translates to approximately $393,500 in US currency. According to the police, they received a report last month indicating that 64,000 unreleased $1 Bluey coins had been taken from a warehouse located in Western Sydney, where the accused man was employed. These coins were set to be released to the public next month, but due to the theft, they are now being sold for ten times their original value. On Wednesday, law enforcement officials arrested 47-year-old Steven John Neilson during a raid at his residence in Sydney. He faces three charges of breaking and entering. While the police have managed to recover around 1,000 of the stolen coins, they suspect that the remaining coins are now circulating in the market. The police allege that the coins were sold online just hours after they were stolen from a truck at the warehouse. At the time of the theft, the coins were scheduled to be transported to a storage facility in Brisbane. It took several days for anyone to realize that the pallet of coins, which weighed approximately 500 kg, was missing. The Royal Australian Mint, which produces the coins, declined to comment on the situation, stating that it was 'inappropriate' to discuss the matter while the investigation is ongoing. The New South Wales Police have named their investigation Strike Force Bandit, a nod to Bandit, who is Bluey's father in the show. The coins are referred to as Dollarbucks, a playful term that reflects how money is often depicted in the cartoon. Bluey has gained immense popularity worldwide, being broadcast in over 60 countries, including the UK, the US, and China. Last year, the show was streamed for more than 20 billion minutes on Disney+ in the US, placing it among the top 10 streaming programs for minutes viewed. With over 150 episodes spanning three seasons, Bluey continues to capture the hearts of audiences everywhere. The stolen coins are distinct from a collectible set of Bluey currency that created a buzz when it was released by the Royal Australian Mint in June of this year.