Two men from Lancaster, Texas, were arrested last week in connection to a crime ring responsible for stealing nearly $400,000 worth of toy Lego sets from retail stores across America.
Brian Fleming, 33, and Ladarion Anderson, 33, were apprehended in Fort Worth, finally ending an investigation that stretched over several years and multiple states.
According to investigators, the scheme began in early 2021 and involved stealing high-value Lego toy sets from big retail chains like Walmart and Target. The two men and an alleged team would buy inexpensive items from the stores, then alter the receipts to make it appear as if they had bought expensive Lego sets. They would later return with the modified receipt, pick up the targeted Lego sets from the shelves, and walk out without paying. If questioned by store employees or security, they would present the edited receipts and walk out without causing alarm.
The group stole a total of nearly $400,000 worth of Lego sets, with the thefts occurring in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, and Pennsylvania, per Fox 4 KDFW.
The investigation into the Lego crime ring began after a 2022 traffic stop in Texas, where state troopers discovered stolen legos and other items in a stopped car. Upon further examination, investigators were able to trace these items back to specific retail stores and link them to the suspects.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Chris Williamson noted that while the thefts may seem minor at first glance, Lego sets are highly valuable, especially to certain collectors, and can fetch substantial resale prices.
“It seems like it’s in a little, small box. But if you think about it, those Legos are very valuable to not only kids but adults and are very collectible.” Williamson told Fox.
According to a 2024 report from IGN, Lego offers a wide range of pricey collections, with the Star Wars Millennium Falcon and AT-AT sets topping out at prices as high as $850. Other collections from the company have hit monstrous prices in the resale market, some even receiving bids in the range of tens of thousands of dollars.
During the investigation, authorities in Texas identified dozens of stores across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and locations in Austin and Houston where the group stole Legos and other items via modified receipts.
Both men were arrested in Fort Worth, with Fleming being transferred to Smith County for outstanding warrants. According to arrest records, Fleming and Anderson now face charges of engaging in organized criminal activity and theft exceeding $300,000.