Authorities bust LEGO theft ring, find over 2,800 toys at home in Long Beach, California

Two people have been charged in connection to a Southern California LEGO theft ring bust after authorities seized nearly 3,000 boxes of stolen LEGO toys.

The Los Angeles Police Department first got wind of the theft ring in December, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release. Someone contacted authorities about a series of robberies from a store on North Gaffey Street in San Pedro.

Loss prevention staff pointed out a woman, Blanca Gudino, to police in December in relation to the case, then on Tuesday LAPD members saw the same woman steal items from the same business’ Torrance and Lakewood locations, LAPD said. 

Authorities claim she took the stolen LEGO toys to a man named Richard Siegel, who lives in Long Beach.

It was not immediately clear who is representing the pair in court.

Police secured a search warrant on Wednesday and searched the man’s home, where they found over 2,800 boxes of LEGO toys ranging from $20 to over $1,000. While at the scene, investigators saw people show up to buy the toys. They’d seen advertisements Siegel posted online.

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Two face charges in connection to LEGO theft ring bust

Police said Gudino was charged with grand theft and online records show she is being held on a $20,000 bond. 

Siegel was charged with organized retail theft and has been released, online records show.

Authorities said LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division, Organized Retail Theft Unit and the store’s loss prevention personnel were part of the bust.

They ask that anyone with information call Los Angeles Harbor Area detectives at (310) 726-7900.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her atsdmartin@usatoday.com.