Police investigate Lego robbery after sets worth $200,000 were seized

Police in the US state of Oregon have seized more than 4,000 stolen Lego sets worth more than $200,000 in a major raid after a three-month investigation, authorities said.

The seizure occurred around 12:30 p.m. on July 3, when authorities from the Springfield Police Department in Eugene, Oregon, served an arrest warrant on 47-year-old Ammon Henrikson, the owner of Brick Builders. The warrant accused him of knowingly purchasing new and unopened Lego sets that had been stolen from other local retail stores, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Springfield Police Department.

“In several cases, suspects stole Lego sets valued at hundreds of dollars and then immediately went to the Brick Builders store to exchange the stolen items for cash: usually at a fraction of their actual retail value,” authorities said in their statement about the raid. “When questioned, some suspects stated that Brick Builders employees knew the sets had recently been stolen. Officers learned that many of the suspects used the money they received to purchase and consume illegal drugs.”

Working with theft prevention investigators from Target, Fred Meyer, Barnes & Noble and Walmart, Springfield police were able to prove that Henrikson had purchased stolen sets from those companies, ultimately recovering 4,153 Lego sets with a total value of more than $200,000, police said.

The three-month investigation by Springfield Police uncovered evidence that Henrikson “knowingly purchased new, unopened Lego sets that had been stolen from local retail stores,” authorities said.

“We all feel the impact of organized shoplifting through the rising prices of the items we purchase for our families,” said Police Chief Andrew Shearer. “Recognizing this, SPD’s Crime Reduction Unit, with the support of our retail partners, works tirelessly to hold accountable those who knowingly choose to engage in or facilitate shoplifting. SPD is proud of the work of our officers and we are committed to pursuing those behind these crimes in our community.”

Henrikson has since been charged with organized shoplifting and receiving stolen goods. Police are asking anyone with further information to contact SPD at 541.726.3714 or [email protected]. The investigation is currently ongoing.