Duo suspected of stealing hundreds of LEGO sets in South Bay, Long Beach arrested – Daily Breeze

Two people suspected of stealing nearly 3,0000 boxes of LEGO toys from retail stores in the South Bay and Long Beach areas were arrested this week following a six-month investigation. (Courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department)

Two people suspected of stealing nearly 3,000 boxes of LEGO toys from retail stores in the South Bay and Long Beach areas were arrested this week, authorities said.

Blanca Gudino, 39, of Lawndale, and Richard Siegel, 71, of Long Beach, were arrested Wednesday, June 5, following a six-month investigation into the thefts, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The investigation began in December following a series of thefts at a retail store in the 1700 block of North Gaffey Street in San Pedro. Loss prevention personnel identified Gudino as the suspect, police said.

On June 4, police said they observed Gudino stealing items from the same retailer in Torrance and Lakewood.

The LEGO sets were then taken by Gudino to Siegel's residence in Long Beach, police said.

A search warrant was served at the Long Beach residence the next day and more than 2,800 boxes of LEGO toys were found, worth anywhere from $20 to more than $1,000. As authorities investigated the residence, potential LEGO buyers, lured by advertisements Siegel placed on the Internet, arrived to purchase toys from the home.

Gudino was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, while Siegel was arrested on suspicion of organized retail theft.

Anyone with information about the thefts should contact Harbor Area detectives at 310-726-7900. After hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).