[CBS] Man, 71, arrested after LAPD finds nearly 3,000 boxes of stolen LEGO sets at his home

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Man, 71, arrested after LAPD finds nearly 3,000 boxes of stolen LEGO sets at his home losangeles

By Matthew Rodriguez

June 6, 2024 / 6:23 PM PDT / KCAL News

Police in Los Angeles seized more than 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO sets from a 71-year-old man's home Wednesday, authorities said.

Officers arrested 71-year-old Richard Siegel and his alleged accomplice,

39-year-old Blanca Gudino, after raiding the elderly man's Long Beach home, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The individual boxes have a retail value ranging from $20 to well over $1,000, police said.

Detectives started investigating the case after a retailer in San Pedro identified Gudino as the suspect who had allegedly robbed them several times last December.

Several months later, on June 4, officers witnessed Gudino stealing items from retailers in Torrance and Lakewood before dropping them off at Siegel's home. Detectives believe Siegel would sell the stolen goods online since several potential buyers showed up at his home while officers raided it.

Investigators booked Siegel for organized retail theft, while Gudino was booked with grand theft.

The department urged anyone with information on the case to call detectives at (310) 726-7900. Those wishing to stay anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477 or text them at 274637.

All text messages should begin with the "LAPD."