Police in Oregon have recovered more than 4,000 stolen Lego sets valued at over $200,000 in a massive bust following a three-month investigation, authorities said.
The seizure happened on July 3 at approximately 12:30 p.m. when authorities from the Springfield Police Department in Eugene, Oregon, served a warrant to 47-year old Ammon Henrikson, the owner of “Brick Builders,” accusing him of knowingly purchasing new and unopened Lego sets that had been stolen from other local retail stores, according to a statement from the Springfield Police Department released on Tuesday.
Police in Oregon have recovered more than 4,000 stolen Lego sets valued at over $200,000 in a massive bust following a three-month investigation, authorities said.
Facebook / Springfield Police Department – Oregon
“In several instances, suspects stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of Lego sets and then immediately went to the Brick Builders store to exchange the stolen items for cash: most often at a fraction of their actual retail value,” authorities said in their statement announcing the bust. “When interviewed, some suspects advised that Brick Builders’ staff knew the sets had recently been stolen. Officers learned that many of the suspects were utilizing the money they received to buy and use illegal drugs.”
Partnering with loss prevention investigators from Target, Fred Meyer, Barnes & Noble and Walmart to confirm that Henrikson was purchasing sets that were stolen from them, the Springfield Police Department ended up recovering 4,153 Lego sets with a total value of more than $200,000, police said.
The three-month investigation by the Springfield Police Department uncovered evidence that Henrikson was “knowingly purchasing new, unopened sets of Legos that had been stolen from local retail stores,” according to authorities.
Police in Oregon have recovered more than 4,000 stolen Lego sets valued at over $200,000 in a massive bust following a three-month investigation, authorities said.
Facebook / Springfield Police Department – Oregon
“We all feel the impact of organized retail theft through the increasing cost of items we buy for our families,” said Police Chief Andrew Shearer. “Recognizing this, SPD’s Crime Reduction Unit, with the support of our retail partners, works diligently to hold accountable those who make the choice to engage in or support retail theft. SPD is proud of the work of our officers, and we are committed to the pursuit of those behind these crimes in our community.”
Henrikson has since been charged with organized retail theft and theft by receiving. Police are asking for anybody with further information related to contact SPD at 541.726.3714 or [email protected] and the investigation is currently ongoing.
Police in a small town in Ohio recently made a major bust that has left many residents shocked. Over $200,000 worth of stolen Lego sets were seized in a large operation that involved multiple law enforcement agencies.
The investigation began when a tip came in about a group of individuals who were suspected of stealing high-end Lego sets from various retailers in the area. The police quickly launched an operation to track down the suspects and recover the stolen merchandise.
After weeks of surveillance and undercover work, the police were able to locate the suspects and execute a search warrant on their property. What they found was truly astonishing – a warehouse filled with thousands of stolen Lego sets, ranging from small kits to large, elaborate sets worth hundreds of dollars each.
The stolen Lego sets were estimated to be worth over $200,000, making this one of the largest Lego thefts in recent memory. The suspects were arrested and charged with multiple counts of theft, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
The police are now working to return the stolen Lego sets to their rightful owners, which include local retailers and individual collectors who had reported the thefts. The investigation is ongoing, as the police are trying to determine if the suspects were part of a larger criminal organization or if they were acting alone.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement and the dedication of police officers in solving crimes and bringing criminals to justice. It also highlights the value of cooperation between different law enforcement agencies in tackling complex criminal cases.
As for the stolen Lego sets, they will hopefully soon be back in the hands of their rightful owners, who can once again enjoy building and playing with these beloved toys. In the meantime, the police are continuing their investigation to ensure that all those involved in this elaborate theft are held accountable for their actions.
