A 47-year-old warehouse worker named Steven John Nielson has been charged by New South Wales police for allegedly stealing over A$600,000 worth of limited-edition Bluey coins.

The theft, valued at approximately $393,000, occurred in June at a warehouse in Wetherill Park, Sydney, where Nielson allegedly worked.

Nielson was arrested on August 7, 2024, for allegedly taking 63,000 unreleased $1 Bluey coins from a truck at a warehouse in Fairfield City.

The theft was first reported to police on July 12, prompting an investigation that led to Nielson's arrest.

Investigations by Strike Force Bandit, named after a character from the popular children's show Bluey, are ongoing.

A police raid in late July recovered 189 of the stolen coins, but the majority are believed to still be in circulation.

During the July 31 raid, police seized the coins along with electronic devices, indicating a broader investigation into possible accomplices.

The coins, produced by the Australian Mint, are legal tender and have been sold online for ten times their face value shortly after their release.

Initially launched in June 2023, the Bluey coins quickly gained immense popularity, with individual coins priced at $20 and three-coin sets at $55.

Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi emphasized the impact of the theft on children and the community, urging anyone with information to come forward.

The collection includes three $1 colored coins branded as Dollarbucks, featuring designs that reference memorable episodes from the show.