The Los Angeles Police Department's Harbor Area detectives are nowadays toying with success, having recently dismantled an organized retail theft ring specializing in high-value LEGO sets. As detailed by the LAPD, 39-year-old Blanca Gudino of Lawndale and 71-year-old Richard Siegel of Long Beach are facing theft charges after a meticulous investigation led to their arrests. The alleged toy thieves were caught on June 4, followed by a search warrant that turned up a trove of plastic bricks at Siegel's residence.
With a child's innocence lost in the mix of adult transgressions, Gudino was reportedly spotted on multiple occasions by loss prevention staff shoplifting at a retailer in the 1700 block of North Gaffey Street in San Pedro. According to the LAPD, surveillance operations then observed her stealing items from stores in Torrance and Lakewood before delivering the LEGO boxes to Siegel's Long Beach abode.
The culmination of the case unfolded on June 5 when detectives, after seizing over 2,800 LEGO boxes from Siegel's residence, found him under the pile of evidence—literally. Potential buyers showed up in the middle of the search, summoned by Siegel's online advertisements offering the stolen goods, as per the LAPD. Both Siegel and Gudino are now in custody, with Siegel arrested for organized retail theft and Gudino for grand theft.
The LAPD urges anyone with more information about this theft ring to reach out to the Harbor Area detectives. Anonymous tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or texting "LAPD" followed by their message to 274637.
