Police in Los Angeles seized more than 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO sets from the home of a 71-year-old man on Wednesday, authorities said.
Officers arrested 71-year-old Richard Siegel and his alleged accomplice, 39-year-old Blanca Gudino, after raiding the elderly man’s Long Beach home, Los Angeles police said.
The individual boxes have a retail value ranging from $20 to more than $1,000, police said.
Detectives began investigating the case after a San Pedro retailer identified Gudino as the suspect who allegedly robbed them multiple times last December.
L.A.P.D
Several months later, on June 4, officers witnessed Gudino stealing items from retailers in Torrance and Lakewood before delivering them to Siegel’s home. Detectives believe Siegel would sell the stolen goods online because several potential buyers showed up at his home while officers were raiding it.
Investigators booked Siegel for organized retail theft, while Gudino was booked for grand larceny.
L.A.P.D
The department urged anyone with information about the case to call detectives at (310) 726-7900. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477 or text 274637.
All text messages must begin with “LAPD.”
