71-year-old man arrested after LAPD finds nearly 3,000 boxes of stolen LEGO sets in his home

Los Angeles police seized more than 2,800 boxes of LEGO sets stolen from the home of a 71-year-old man on Wednesday, authorities said.

Officers arrested Richard Siegel, 71, and his alleged accomplice, Blanca Gudino, 39, after searching the elderly man's home in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles police.

The individual boxes have a retail value ranging from $20 to well over $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.

Several months later, on June 4, officers observed Gudino stealing items from retailers in Torrance and Lakewood before dropping them off at Siegel's home. Detectives believe Siegel may be selling the stolen goods online since several potential buyers showed up at his home while officers were raiding.

Investigators incarcerated Siegel for organized retail theft, while Gudino was booked for grand larceny.

The department urged anyone with information about the case to call detectives at (310) 726-7900. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477 or text them to 274637.

All text messages must begin with “LAPD.”