Police say they have arrested two California residents on suspicion of stealing thousands of dollars worth of Lego sets and attempting to sell them.
Suspects Richard Siegel, 71, and Blanca Gudino, 39, were arrested by Los Angeles Police following an investigation into organized thefts at stores in the area. Los Angeles Times report.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Gudino was observed by police on June 4 stealing Lego toys from Target stores in Torrance and Lakewood and delivering the stolen merchandise to Siegel’s Long Beach home.
A search warrant was executed the following day and police found more than 2,800 boxes of stolen Lego, police said. press release.
“Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division, Organized Retail Theft Unit and retail theft prevention officers assisted in the recovery of the Lego toys,” police said.
During a search at Siegel’s home, police said, “potential buyers of the toys were attracted by advertisements that Siegel had placed on an internet sales site.”
Images and video posted by police show officers loading up large amounts of Lego merchandise, including sets valued at more than $1,000.
LAPD News: NR24167dc – LAPD Port Division Busts Lego Theft Ring pic.twitter.com/8JnmV4P6gn
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) June 7, 2024
The incident remains under investigation, but Siegel was charged with organized retail theft and Gudino was charged with grand larceny. Times report.
