Two arrested in Los Angeles after police find over 2,800 stolen Lego sets

Police in Los Angeleshave busted a Lego theft ring and arrested two people after they foundmore than 2,800 stolen sets of the toys. In a statement, the police said on Thursday (June 6) that the department's Harbor Area Burglary detectives arrested 71-year-old Richard Siegel and 39-year-old Blanca Gudino in connection with a series of organised retail thefts involving LEGO toys.

The statement said that in December last year, detectives became aware of theft cases from a retailer located in the 1700 block of North Gaffey Street in San Pedro, where loss prevention personnel identified Gudino as the suspect.

The raid

"On June 4, 2024, members of the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) observed Gudino steal items from the same retailer in Torrance and Lakewood, before providing Siegel with the LEGO toys at his residence in Long Beach."

On June 5, detectives served a search warrant at Siegel's residence and recovered more than 2,800 boxes of LEGO toys, the police added. "Individual items seized varied in retail value from $20 to well over $,1000," the statement said.

During the investigation at Siegel's residence, potential buyers of the toys arrived, lured by advertisements placed by the 71-year-old on internet sales sites, the statement added.

Lego sets high in demand

Lego sets are in high demand, not just among parents, but adult collectors, too. A report by The Guardian said that there has been an ever-growing marketfor bricks in recent years for those who know the resale value of these toys.

In April this year,California highway police arrested three men and a womanin connection to the theft of Lego sets worth a combined $300,000.

(With inputs from agencies)