A man in California has been charged with stealing nearly $27,000 worth of Lego products from Target stores in Walnut Creek and San Ramon between August 2024 and February 2025. Michael Fletcher is accused of using a similar method in each theft, entering the store alone, filling his cart with Lego items, and leaving quickly. He allegedly placed the stolen toys in a vehicle parked in a designated accessible parking spot and is believed to have carried out this scheme at least seven times. Fletcher is also suspected of thefts in several other California counties, including Solano, Alameda, San Joaquin, Sonoma, and Santa Clara. Besides the charges in Contra Costa County, he has been charged by the Alameda County District Attorney for stealing $1,881 worth of Star Wars Lego sets in Fremont. Fletcher was arrested at a Target store in Walnut Creek and is currently held on nearly $500,000 bail. If convicted on all charges, he could face up to nine years and four months in county jail. Lego products have become a popular target for theft in the Bay Area, with a man leading police on an 11-mile chase after allegedly stealing $900 worth of Lego sets in Solano County last year. Additionally, in June 2023, four people were arrested for stealing more than $3,500 worth of Lego bricks from a San Mateo store. Lego sets, which vary in price, are easy to resell, with used sets in decent shape going for up to 50% of the original price.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/05/legos-california-heist