A 47-year-old man named Stephen John Nielson was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing nearly $400,000 worth of limited-edition "Bluey" coins produced by the Australian mint.
The $1 coins are actual currency and feature characters from the popular TV series "Bluey."
On July 12th, they went missing from a trucking warehouse in Fairfield City, Australia. Nielson, an employee at the warehouse, reportedly sold the coins online for ten times their value just hours after the theft.
Police have recovered 189 of the stolen coins. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said, “The theft of these coins has deprived many young children and community members, so we’re doing our best to recover these coins and put them back into circulation.”
Nielson faces charges including three counts of break and entering with intent to commit a serious offense, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.