Three men sought over mammoth coin heist
Source: NSW Police
Detectives are hoping to get their paws on more suspects in a massive heist of limited-edition coins celebrating beloved Australian cartoon dog Bluey.
Two men have been charged over the theft, during which a 500-kilogram pallet carrying 63,000 of the unreleased coins was stolen from a secure warehouse in July.
But Strike Force Bandit, which has the same name as the father of the wildly popular TV show’s titular blue heeler, has more individuals in its sights.
Investigators want to speak to a man spotted carrying a bag inside a bank in Revesby, in Sydney’s south-west, police said on Thursday.
He was described as being of Pacific Islander or Maori appearance, with a medium build and a black beard.
One of the men sought over the theft of an enormous haul of Bluey-themed coins. Photos: NSW Police
They are also after the driver of a white SUV seen outside the bank after the alleged heist, along with the driver of dark Ford Territory spotted in the area around the storage facility at the time of the theft.
The stolen goods were being sold online for about $10 each, despite having a face value of $1.
They differed from a set of three Bluey-themed coloured coins the Mint offered collectors in June.
Those 90,000 coins, which also have a face value of $1, are being sold online for $20.
One unfortunate collector had 189 of the stolen gold coins confiscated after buying them for about $1.50 each.
Bluey has become a global phenomenon after first airing in Australia on the ABC in 2018.
It follows the adventures of a young dog and her family living in suburban Brisbane.
-AAP