San Diego Police Take Apart LEGO Theft Ring

Surveillance video caught burglars pilfering valuable LEGOs and Disney’s “Frozen” toys from all five Toys “R” Us stores around San Diego County.

Police caught up with and arrested three of the five robbery suspects on Tuesday. Local ABC News affiliate 10 News reported that LEGOs have become a hot item on the black market.

The five robbery suspects were identified as part of an organized ring. Detectives indicated the ring executed 30 robberies, sometimes hitting a store multiple times in one day.

The surveillance video shown in the 10 News report displays suspects rolling shopping carts loaded with toys right out stores’ front doors. All told, their haul comes to an estimated $100,000. One suspect remains on the loose.

Across the Atlantic, a U.K. man was charged for two incidents of stealing LEGO merchandise–£199.62 worth in late May, and another theft June 1 from a WHSmith store in Crown Walk, Bichester. The Banbury Guardian reported that the 40-year-old Simon Matthew Moore was charged the first week in June with a court date set for August.

Arizona saw an elaborate LEGO theft ring busted last August, according to Tucson News Now reported. Authorities discovered over $250,000 of LEGOs associated with the operation.

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