HERNANDO - Citrus County Sheriff's Office detectives are on the lookout for 50 missing Krugerrands that were stolen from a car trunk in Hernando.

Sometime in August or early September, the 14K gold coins were removed without force from the trunk of the victim’s car where his wife had placed them for safekeeping.

The 58-year-old Hernando man told detectives that his wife had asked to inspect the coins after watching a TV program that featured the South African investment coins.

For safekeeping, she temporarily placed the coins in the trunk of their 2002 silver Mercedes SLK230 until they could be returned to the safety deposit box where they’re usually housed.

The current market value of the coins is close to $100,000. A flier was issued to area banks, pawn shops and secondhand dealers. The victim is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the guilty subject(s).

Anyone who has seen the coins or has knowledge of their whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Det. Shelley Clark at the Sheriff’s Office, 352-341-7407.

Or contact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, Inc., by texting CITRUS plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), clicking on www.crimestopperscitrus.com or calling 1-888-ANY-TIPS toll-free.