LAPD Harbor Division Busts LEGO Theft Ring NR24167dc

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Area Burglary detectives have arrested 39-year-old Blanca Gudino of Lawndale and 71-year-old Richard Siegel of Long Beach in connection with a series of organized retail thefts involving LEGO toys.

In December 2023, detectives became aware of a series of theft cases from a retailer located in the 1700 block of North Gaffey Street in San Pedro, where loss prevention personnel identified Gudino as the suspect. On June 4, 2024, members of the Los Angeles Police Department observed Gudino steal items from the same retailer in Torrance and Lakewood, before providing Siegel with the LEGO toys at his residence in Long Beach.

On June 5, 2024, LAPD Harbor Area detectives served a search warrant at Siegel’s Long Beach residence and recovered over 2,800 boxes of LEGO toys. Individual items seized varied in retail value from $20.00 to well over $1,000.00. Detectives from LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division, Organized Retail Theft Unit, as well as members of the retailer’s loss prevention personnel, assisted with the recovery of the LEGO toys. During the officers’ investigation at Siegel’s residence, potential buyers of the toys arrived, lured by advertisements placed by Siegel on internet sales sites.

Following the service of the warrant, both Siegel and Gudino were arrested. Richard Siegel was arrested for 409.4(a)(1) PC – Organized Retail Theft, Booking No. 6823708. Blanca Gudino was arrested for 487(a) PC – Grand Theft, Booking No. 6824108.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call Harbor Area detectives at (310) 726-7900. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”