Bluey Coin Heist Solved: Over 40,000 Stolen Coins Recovered in Australia’s Sydney
Australian authorities have recovered over 40,000 stolen limited-edition “Bluey” coins, bringing an end to a high-profile theft case that gripped the nation, The Associated Press reports.
The coins, featuring the beloved animated character Bluey, were found on Tuesday afternoon in a self-storage business in Wentworthville, Sydney.
The discovery marks a significant victory for police, who had launched an investigation dubbed “Strike Force Bandit” after 63,000 of the unreleased coins were stolen from a warehouse in Wetherill Park back in July. The coins, produced by the Royal Australian Mint, were still in their original plastic bags, indicating they had not been distributed.
A 27-year-old woman was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the theft, just hours before the coins were recovered. Police allege she drove two accomplices to the warehouse in July. Two other men have already been charged with the theft, and authorities are searching for a fourth suspect.
In a separate incident, police raided a Sydney property in July and recovered 189 of the stolen coins. The owner, a legitimate coin collector, had innocently purchased the coins for AU$1.50 (98 US cents) each without knowing they were stolen.
The recovered coins represent a substantial portion of the stolen collection, with authorities continuing their efforts to locate the remaining 20,000 coins.
The “Bluey” coins, with a face value of one Australian dollar, were highly sought after due to their limited edition status and popularity of the children’s series. The show, which follows the adventures of a blue heeler puppy named Bluey and her family, has gained international acclaim, captivating audiences worldwide.
