More than 2,800 boxes of stolen Legos found at home; 2 arrested – WFTV

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

LOS ANGELES — Police arrested two people after officers said they found more than 2,800 stolen Lego boxes at a Long Beach home.

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Authorities said Blanca Gudino, 39, stole the boxes from retailers and took them to Richard Siegel, 71, at his Long Beach home, as part of a series of organized thefts from retail stores .

Police began an investigation in December after learning of a series of thefts at a San Pedro retailer. KTLA identified the store at the center of the case as Target.

In December, loss prevention officers identified Gudino as the person believed to be behind the thefts. On Tuesday, officers saw her stealing items from Target stores in Torrance and Lakewood, according to a news release issued Thursday.

Authorities searched Siegel's Long Beach home Wednesday and found more than 2,800 boxes of Legos worth “from $20.00 to well over $1,000.00,” police said. While police investigated, authorities said potential buyers of the toys arrived at Siegel's home, “attracted by advertisements placed by Siegel on Internet shopping sites.”

Gudino faces one count of grand theft while Siegel was charged with organized retail theft. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office records show Gudino remained jailed Friday. Siegel was released on his own recognizance.