An enormous demand for LEGOs and sky-high costs at retail shops are making a rising black market in SoCal, the place thieves are going to nice lengths to jack LEGOs from shops.
Legislation enforcement sources inform TMZ … theft rings are marching into retailers like Goal, Barnes & Noble and Walmart and stealing any and all issues LEGO, and the crimes are getting extra subtle by the day.
This ain’t a smash-and-grab kind job … we’re advised a few of the crews boosting LEGOs are actually utilizing counter-surveillance expertise, plus getaway drivers and lookouts.
As soon as the thieves make off with the LEGOs, our sources say they flip round and promote them to fences — people who deal in stolen items — and the LEGOs are then offered on web sites like eBay, Fb and OfferUp.
As we reported, there was a massive LEGO bust in SoCal earlier this month … with almost 3,000 packing containers of LEGO toy units being found by police, leading to 2 arrests … and that is simply the tip of the iceberg.
TMZ Studios
If you have not been to the toy part recently, LEGO costs are greater than ever … a key issue within the explosion of the LEGO black market.
Issues are getting so loopy, we’re advised fences are actually sending thieves buying lists filled with in style LEGO units … and the crimes have change into a big cash maker.
In the meantime, our sources say some stolen LEGOs are being peddled at swap meets … and others are even being despatched abroad.
One other issue inflicting LEGO theft rings to develop … most police departments in SoCal are quick on manpower, and our sources say violent crimes are getting precedence over stolen toys.
We’re advised LEGO is working with regulation enforcement to fight the black market, however it’s unclear to what diploma and capability.
We have reached out to LEGO … thus far no phrase again.
