In a significant crackdown on organized retail crime, Oregon police have dismantled a large-scale Lego theft operation in Eugene, seizing over $200,000 worth of stolen Lego sets. The bust, conducted at Brick Builders toy store earlier this month, follows a meticulous three-month investigation.
Ammon Henrikson, 47, of Springfield, and Albert Nash, 57, of Eugene, stand accused of knowingly purchasing stolen, brand-new Lego sets. They now face charges of organized retail theft and receiving stolen property.
During a raid on July 3, authorities uncovered a staggering 4,153 Lego sets, including coveted collaborations such as Star Wars editions that command high prices on the resale market.
“We would watch people go into the store with Lego and come out with cash in hand,” remarked Springfield police sergeant Kyle Potter in an interview with KEZI. “At that point, we would stop people, we’d talk to them and they’d tell us exactly what they did.”
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The investigation, conducted in collaboration with major retailers like Target, Fred Meyer, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart, confirmed that many of the seized Lego sets were originally stolen from these establishments. “Suspects would steal valuable Lego sets worth hundreds of dollars and promptly exchange them at Brick Builders for a fraction of their retail value,” detailed a statement from the police department on Facebook. “It was revealed that some suspects used the proceeds to fund illicit drug purchases.”
The crackdown comes amid heightened enforcement following the implementation of stricter penalties for retail theft under a new state law enacted earlier this year. This incident also echoes recent arrests in California, where individuals were apprehended for possessing thousands of dollars in stolen Lego merchandise.
Efforts to reach Henrikson and Nash for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward.
