Current:Home > Finance4 charged in theft of $300,000 worth of Legos from California stores -Zenith Money Vision
4 charged in theft of $300,000 worth of Legos from California stores
View
Date:2025-04-11 14:33:02
Four Californians have been arrested and charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Legos from stores, according to authorities.
The three men and one woman from the Los Angeles area were all charged with organized retail theft, grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime, the California Highway Patrol said in a news release. They were identified as 44-year-old Jeremy Johnson of Orange, 39-year-old Marta Hardt of Huntington Beach, 47-year-old Chung-Pei Yu of Studio City, and 35-year-old Shen Li of Brea.
The group is accused of stealing the goods from retailers throughout Southern California, including Target, Home Depot and Lowe's, the highway patrol said.
It's unclear if the four people have attorneys.
How did the alleged Lego thieves steal from retailers?
The highway patrol believes that two of the suspects acted as boosters, stealing from retailers and delivering stolen Legos to separate "fences," which are people who buy stolen goods to sell them at "seemingly legitimate businesses, swap meets, or online," the agency said.
The estimated loss to retailers stemming from the alleged scheme is around $300,000, the highway patrol added.
The buyers of the stolen Legos "may or may not be aware that the products they are purchasing were stolen as part of an organized retail crime operation," according to the highway patrol.
How expensive are Lego sets?
Lego sets can vary in price and range from $400 to nearly $1,000.
IGN, a video game and entertainment media website, ranked the top 15 most expensive Lego sets available to customers.
The top five most expensive Lego sets, according to IGN, are:
- Lego Razor Crest from the movie "Star Wars" for $598.99
- Lego Eiffel Tower for $629.99
- Lego Titanic for $679.99
- Lego AT-AT Walker from the movie "Star Wars" for $849.95
- Lego Millenium Falcon from the movie "Star Wars" for $849.95
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Investigators use an unlikely clue to bring young mom's killer to justice
- North Carolina police search for driver who appears to intentionally hit 6 migrant workers
- Gas prices up: Sticker shock hits pump as heat wave, oil prices push cost to 8-month high
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Musk threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hateful tweets
- DeSantis faces rugged comeback against Trump, increased AI surveillance: 5 Things podcast
- Girl, 6, is latest child to die or be injured from boating accidents this summer across US
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Busy Minneapolis interstate reopens after investigation into state trooper’s use of force
Ranking
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- 'A money making machine': Is Nashville's iconic Lower Broadway losing its music soul?
- Teresa Giudice Calls Sofia Vergara Rudest Woman She's Ever Met
- 8-year-old survives cougar attack at Olympic National Park; animal stops when mother screams
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- The stars of Broadway’s ‘Back to the Future’ musical happily speed into the past every night
- 10 people died at the Astroworld music festival two years ago. What happens now?
- Pro-Trump PAC spent over $40 million on legal bills for Trump and aides in 2023
Recommendation
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
A North Carolina budget is a month late, but Republicans say they are closing in on a deal
Blake Lively Cheekily Clarifies Her Trainer Is Not the Father of Her and Ryan Reynolds’ 4 Kids
Georgia resident dies from rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Water stuck in your ear? How to get rid of this summer nuisance.
CNN business correspondent, 'Early Start' anchor Christine Romans exits network after 24 years
11-year-old boy dies after dirt bike accident at Florida motocross track, police say