Man Arrested for Stealing $34,000 in Legos, Swapping Pieces for Pasta

The suspect is accused of removing valuable Lego pieces and replacing them with dried pasta before returning the items to Target stores across the US.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a Lego minifigure part, such as a head or torso, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigation into a series of Lego thefts.A recent wave of Lego thefts at Target stores across the U.S. exposes the growing demand for collectible toy pieces among investors.Irvine Today

A 28-year-old man has been arrested in Orange County, California for allegedly stealing around $34,000 worth of Lego merchandise from Target stores across the United States. The suspect is accused of removing valuable Lego minifigures and pieces from the boxes and replacing them with dried pasta before returning the items to retailers.

Why it matters

Collectible Legos have become a popular commodity among investors, with limited-edition sets like those for Star Wars and Harry Potter appreciating in value as they get older. This case highlights the growing problem of Lego theft and the challenges in tracking stolen goods that can easily be resold online.

The details

Surveillance cameras captured the man entering a Target in Irvine, California, and browsing the Lego section. He grabbed two large box sets and eventually left the store. Irvine police said the man is accused of removing valuable minifigures and pieces from the boxes and, in some cases, replacing them with dried pasta when returning the items to retailers. The suspect is wanted in connection with at least 70 thefts at Target stores across the U.S.

  • The suspect was arrested on April 17, 2026 in Irvine, California.
  • The alleged thefts occurred at Target stores across the US over an unspecified period of time.

The players

The Suspect

A 28-year-old man who is accused of stealing around $34,000 worth of Lego merchandise from Target stores across the United States by removing valuable pieces and replacing them with dried pasta before returning the items.

Irvine Police

The police department in Irvine, California that investigated the case and arrested the suspect.

Target

The retail chain that was the victim of the alleged thefts, with the suspect accused of stealing Lego merchandise from at least 70 Target stores across the country.

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What they’re saying

“Collectible Legos have become a popular commodity among investors who are always searching for new pieces to add to their Lego portfolios.”

— Joshua Hanlon, Host and owner of Beyond the Brick, the 'world's largest LEGO fan community'

What’s next

The suspect was booked at the Orange County Jail and is facing charges of grand theft. Investigators will likely continue looking into any additional thefts linked to the suspect across the country.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of Lego theft and the challenges in tracking stolen goods that can easily be resold online, as collectible Lego sets continue to appreciate in value. It also raises questions about security measures at major retailers like Target to prevent such large-scale thefts from occurring.