Burglars target Los Angeles' oldest toy store, Kip's Toyland

Surveillance footage shows suspect stealing thousands in Lego merchandise from Fairfax-area shop

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Employees at Kip's Toyland, Los Angeles' oldest toy store, say a hooded suspect broke into the shop early Saturday morning and stole a shelf full of expensive Lego sets, resulting in a loss estimated in the thousands of dollars. The family-owned store, which has been a fixture in the Original Farmers Market area since 1945, is now working with police to investigate the burglary.

Why it matters

The burglary at Kip's Toyland highlights the ongoing challenges facing small, independent retailers in Los Angeles, especially in the wake of the pandemic. As one of the city's oldest and most beloved toy stores, the break-in represents a significant financial and emotional blow to the family-owned business.

The details

Surveillance footage from inside Kip's Toyland shows a hooded suspect entering the store around 7:20 a.m. on Saturday and repeatedly grabbing items from a shelf, primarily expensive Lego sets. Store manager Jay Ortiz said the suspect took an entire shelf's worth of the more costly Lego products, resulting in a loss estimated to be in the thousands of dollars. Ortiz said a police report has not yet been filed, but the store is working with authorities on the investigation.

  • The burglary occurred around 7:20 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Kip's Toyland

Los Angeles' oldest toy store, a family-owned business that has been a fixture in the Original Farmers Market area since 1945.

Jay Ortiz

The manager of Kip's Toyland who reported the burglary and estimated the loss to be in the thousands of dollars.

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What they’re saying

“They literally went for the top shelf. It has all the more expensive ones; he took the entire shelf off.”

— Jay Ortiz, Store Manager (CBS LA)

“We're just a small business trying to survive, so, this was definitely a big hit on us.”

— Jay Ortiz, Store Manager (CBS LA)

What’s next

Kip's Toyland is working with the Los Angeles Police Department to investigate the burglary and identify the suspect. The store plans to review its security measures to prevent future incidents.

The takeaway

The burglary at Kip's Toyland, one of Los Angeles' most iconic and long-standing small businesses, underscores the ongoing challenges facing independent retailers in the city. As the pandemic continues to reshape the retail landscape, incidents like this highlight the need for increased support and protection for local, community-driven enterprises.