Thieves use fire alarms to steal $12,000 worth of Legos in New Zealand
Lego heist in New Zealand (representational image)
New Zealand police announced on Thursday (April 11) that they have developed a compelling case against two shoplifters who have a penchant for Lego. The duo stands accused of stealing NZ$20,000 worth (US$12,000) of the beloved toy. According to authorities, the thefts occurred over the past few months from various stores across Auckland, the country's largest city.
The thieves devised a bold method for pilfering sets of the popular building blocks.
"In each instance, the alleged thieves brazenly created a diversion in the store by setting off the fire alarm," sergeant Karen Tabb said in a statement.
A 45-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man are facing 30 charges of shoplifting. Additionally, the thieves are accused of violating the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act by using fire alarms to distract.
According to police, a team raided a residence in South Auckland, leading to the arrest of the duo and the recovery of some of the stolen Lego. In New Zealand, Lego kits can retail for up to NZ$1,499, with the Star Wars Millennium Falcon model, consisting of 7,451 pieces, being among the priciest.
Lego solidified its position as the world's largest toymaker in 2023, reporting record-breaking results of US$9.6 billion last month.
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History ofLego
Originating from the workshop of Ole Kirk Christiansen in Billund, Denmark, Lego blocks were born in 1932 amidst Christiansen's venture into crafting wooden toys.
The company adopted the name Lego, derived from the Danish phrase leg godt ("play well"), in 1934. By 1949, Legointroduced its inaugural plastic brick, laying the foundation for the renowned interlocking design patented in 1958 by Christiansen's son, Godtfred Kirk, who succeeded his father at the helm.
Lego's appeal quickly spread across Europe, culminating in the opening of the first Legoland theme park in Billund in 1968, with subsequent parks established worldwide.
In 1969, the company debuted the Duplo line, featuring larger bricks tailored for younger children. Nine years later, Legointroduced its iconic Minifigures, charming yellow humanoids, which became synonymous with the brand's themed play sets. Mindstorms, the programmable robotics pack, made its debut in 1998, evolving into more intricate iterations over the years.
Despite evolving technologies, the fundamental Lego brick has remained unchanged since its inception, its enduring simplicity credited for the toy's lasting appeal.
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As a result, Lego has entrenched itself in childhood cultures worldwide. Remaining within the Christiansen family for generations, Lego garnered acclaim, being among the inaugural inductees into the USNational Toy Hall of Fame in 1998 and receiving the esteemed "Toy of the Century" title from multiple sources in 2000.
(With inputs from agencies)