Guessing game over Trump's Treasury pick adds to US bond market's negative mood
CoreWeave targets valuation of over $35 billion in 2025 US IPO, sources say
Samsung ordered to pay $118 million for infringing Netlist patents
Trump’s intel pick was placed on government watch list for overseas travel and foreign connections
Chamber of Commerce sees new US export crackdown on China, email says
Defense rests its case in Daniel Penny manslaughter trial
Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe
Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury
What to do if your luggage is lost, delayed, stolen or damaged
In a shocking development, the Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of a 71-year-old suspect after uncovering a massive Lego theft operation. Per the release the criminal operation targeted rare and highly valuable Lego sets from various retail locations throughout California.
According to the statement from the LAPD, Richard Siegel, aged 71, and his alleged accomplice, 39-year-old Blanca Gudino, stand accused of stealing these Lego toys, some of which fetch prices ranging from $20 to well over $1,000 at retail. The investigation into this audacious theft scheme gained traction in December 2022 when a retailer in San Pedro alerted authorities to a series of Lego toy thefts plaguing their establishment.
"Loss prevention personnel identified Gudino as the suspect," stated the LAPD release. Police launched an investigation that culminated in a search warrant executed at Siegel's Long Beach residence on June 5th.
"Potential buyers of the toys arrived, lured by advertisements placed by Siegel on internet sales sites," the release noted, describing the scene when officers performed the search.
According to law enforcement, surveillance footage captured Gudino stealing Lego products from retailers in Torrance and Lakewood on June 4th before providing the stolen goods to Siegel.
Siegel now faces charges of organized retail theft for his purported role in this brazen criminal enterprise. Meanwhile, Gudino finds herself embroiled in grand theft charges, currently held on a $20,000 bail. Siegel has been released on his own recognizance pending a June 26th court appearance.
While the LAPD did not name the targeted retailer, reports indicate the thefts may be linked to over $100,000 worth of Lego products stolen from six Bricks & Minifigs stores in Southern California between April and June.
"They're not stealing big box sets. They're stealing mini-figures, and those individual guys go for $500 to $600 apiece, so they're easily stolen and resold for a quick profit," said Katie Leuschner, owner of one of the Bricks & Minifigs locations, describing the alleged Lego toy theft operation to the PEOPLE.
The Los Angeles Police investigation is ongoing into the massive allegedly stolen Lego toys. Authorities have recovered over 2,800 boxes but are working to determine if more individuals were involved and identify any additional stolen merchandise.
