A wave of Lego thefts has been sweeping across the nation, targeting stores and collectors alike. Miguel Zuniga, owner of a Bricks & Minifigs Lego resale franchise store in Lumita, Los Angeles County, experienced a burglary in the early hours of June 18. The thieves made off with an estimated $5,000 to $7,000 worth of Lego sets. This incident is part of a larger trend where Lego products, especially the more expensive sets, are being stolen by individuals and organized crime rings for resale in both legal and illegal channels.
In a recent incident in California, police arrested two individuals involved in a retail theft ring that had stolen thousands of Lego toys from retailers in Southern California. LAPD detectives recovered over 2,800 boxes of stolen Lego with a retail value ranging from $20 to over $1,000 per item. Meanwhile, police in Philadelphia have been investigating a series of Lego set thefts from retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Target, with stolen sets valued from $250 to $1,000 each.
According to retail crime experts, Lego sets are highly sought after due to their ease of resale and the fact that they can fetch close to the original retail price, especially if they are in mint condition. Even used sets can go for up to 50% of their original value. The demand for Lego products has led to a thriving market for stolen goods, as well as a growing market for counterfeit Lego products, particularly online.
Cases of Lego theft have been on the rise across the country, with Wichita Police in Kansas reporting 19 Lego thefts between January 8, 2024, and May 7, 2024. These thefts included sets based on popular franchises such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Back to the Future. Experts suggest that Lego sets are consistently among the top 10 most stolen retail products alongside items like branded denim, designer handbags, and Apple products.
In response to the rising cases of Lego theft, authorities are urging consumers to be vigilant and educate themselves on how to spot fake online Lego stores and products. In the meantime, store owners like Zuniga are relying on the support of their communities to replenish their shelves and recover from these devastating thefts.
