Bluey coins recovered from Western Sydney self-storage unit
Police have recovered more than 40,000 stolen Bluey coins during a raid on a storage facility.
A reported 63,000 limited edition $1 Bluey coins produced by the Royal Australian Mint were stolen from a warehouse in Sydney’s western suburb of Wetherill Park on July 12.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime executed a search warrant at a storage facility in Wentworthville, in Sydney’s west, about 3.30pm on Tuesday.
During the search, detectives found numerous Royal Australian Mint bags containing a total of $40,061 worth of stolen Bluey coins.
Police also found and seized a number of power tools, clothing and bags, all of which are believed to have been stolen.
The recovery of the coins comes after NSW Police arrested Christina Vale, 27, at her home in Green Valley, south-west Sydney, at 6.55am on Tuesday, claiming she was the getaway driver in the brazen Bluey Coin heist.
Ms Vale was charged with three counts of aggravated trespass and committing a serious criminal offense and disposing of stolen property valued at less than $5,000.
Police will allege she was the driver in the alleged burglary.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime executed a search warrant at a storage facility in Wentworthville, in Sydney’s west, about 3.30pm on Tuesday.
Detectives have found numerous Royal Australian Mint bags containing a total of $40,061 worth of stolen Bluey coins
She was refused bail and appeared at Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday.
Ms Vale was refused bail and will appear in court again on November 28.
She is the third person to be charged after Steven John Neilson, 47, was arrested in August and another man, Nassar Kanj, 44, was arrested two weeks later.
They both remain in court.
The arrests came after police initially seized some of the allegedly stolen coins from the home of a legitimate coin collector.
It is reported that 63,000 limited edition Bluey $1 coins produced by the Royal Australian Mint were stolen from a warehouse in Sydney’s western suburb of Wetherill Park on July 12.
The investigation led by Strike Force Bandit continues.
The strike force is named after Bluey’s on-screen father, Bandit.
Detectives will allege that Mr Nielsen worked at the warehouse and that his position helped the alleged criminals steal the coins.
Earlier, officers released CCTV footage of a third man in a bid to find him and secure more of the missing coins.
He was seen outside a bank in Revesby after the alleged robbery.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.