Oregon police recovered 4,153 stolen Lego sets. The sets hold a total value exceeding $200,000.
Authorities seized the items on July 3, 2024. This bust ranks among the largest Lego thefts in recent U.S. history.
Three-Month Investigation Concludes Successfully
Springfield Police Department conducted a three-month investigation. They partnered with loss prevention teams from major retailers.
The investigation targeted a local store called “Brick Builders”. Police investigations of organized retail crime typically last 3-6 months on average.
Store Owner Faces Charges
Authorities served a warrant to 47-year-old Ammon Henrikson. Henrikson owns the “Brick Builders” store in Eugene, Oregon.
Police accuse him of knowingly purchasing stolen Lego sets. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for receiving stolen property.
Thieves Exploit Store’s Buying Scheme
Suspects stole hundreds of dollars worth of Lego sets. They immediately exchanged stolen items for cash at Brick Builders.
The store often paid a fraction of the sets’ retail value. Organized retail crime costs retailers an average of $719,548 per $1 billion in sales.
Drug Trade Fuels Lego Thefts
Many suspects used the money to buy illegal drugs. This connection highlights the link between retail theft and drug abuse.
Studies show that up to 75% of shoplifters are drug addicts. The U.S. opioid epidemic costs the economy an estimated $1 trillion annually.
Major Retailers Suffer Losses
Target, Fred Meyer, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart collaborated in the investigation. These retailers confirmed Henrikson purchased sets stolen from their stores.
Retail theft costs U.S. retailers about $94.5 billion in 2021. Organized retail crime incidents increased by 26.5% in 2021 compared to 2020.
Lego’s Popularity Attracts Criminals
Lego’s high value and popularity make it a target for thieves. The global Lego market was valued at $7.54 billion in 2022.
Lego produces over 36 billion pieces annually. Some rare Lego sets can sell for over $10,000 on the secondary market.
Organized Retail Theft Impacts Consumers
Police Chief Andrew Shearer emphasized the broader impact of retail theft. Organized retail crime leads to increasing costs for consumers.
U.S. households pay an additional $500 annually due to retail theft. In 2021, 69% of retailers reported an increase in organized retail crime.
Crime Reduction Unit Leads Effort
Springfield Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit spearheaded the investigation. They worked closely with retail partners to gather evidence.
Specialized units like this can increase case clearance rates by up to 30%. The average police department solves about 45.5% of property crimes.
Lego Thefts: A Growing Trend
Lego thefts have increased globally in recent years. In 2021, French police busted a Lego theft ring in Paris.
A man in Oregon was arrested in 2022 for stealing $7,500 worth of Lego. Toy theft accounts for approximately 1% of all retail theft cases.
