Long Beach, California – Two individuals were taken into custody by authorities in connection with a suspected Lego theft ring, where over 2,800 stolen sets were discovered inside a home in Long Beach. Richard Siegel, 71, and Blanca Gudino, 39, were arrested following a series of organized retail thefts that had been ongoing for several months.
The investigation began after a store reported multiple thefts, with store personnel identifying Gudino as a suspect. Surveillance observed Gudino taking items from the retailer and delivering them to Siegel at his residence. Upon searching Siegel’s home, detectives found an extensive collection of Lego sets, valued from $20 to over $1,000.
The sets uncovered included popular items from franchises like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Back to the Future. The stolen merchandise encompassed sought-after sets like the Millennium Falcon and R2-D2, which can command high prices in the market.
Siegel is facing charges of organized retail theft, while Gudino is charged with grand theft. The incident sheds light on the increasing trend of stolen Lego merchandise, with thieves targeting valuable sets popular among both children and adults alike.
Expensive Lego sets have become a lucrative target for criminals, as demonstrated by previous arrests of suspects linked to illegal Lego theft operations. The thefts highlight the financial value associated with these collectible sets, drawing the attention of organized theft rings.
In a separate incident earlier in the year, over $100,000 worth of Legos were reported stolen from a California retailer, signaling a concerning trend in Lego theft in the region. As authorities crack down on these theft rings, the public is urged to be cautious when purchasing Lego sets outside of reputable sources to combat the illicit market for stolen merchandise.