Four juvenile suspects stole expensive Lego sets from a Target store in Irvine

Four male juvenile suspects strolled into a Target store in Irvine, according to the Irvine Police Department.

Unfortunately, they were not there to shop. Instead they each grabbed expensive large Lego sets and ran out of the store.

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Little did these miscreants realize that there are surveillance video cameras at that store. The police released a video of their criminal actions and pictures of each of the suspects.

The suspects all appear to be Latino juveniles. Three were skinny and one was not. The heavy one had a broccoli style haircut and was wearing a black t-shirt and gray shorts. Two of the other suspects were also wearing black shirts. One of them was wearing a white t-shirt with a graphic.

If you recognize these four individuals, please contact Detective Ricci at MRicci@cityofirvine.org.

Here’s a summary of the penalties faced by the four juvenile suspects who stole Lego sets from Target at the Irvine Spectrum:

Penalties the Juvenile Suspects May Face:

• Juveniles under 18 in California are processed through the juvenile justice system, which focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
• Theft of high-value items like large Lego sets (often over $950) may be classified as grand theft, a “wobbler” offense that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony.
• Possible penalties include:
  • Restitution to the store
  • Community service
  • Probation (formal or informal)
  • Diversion programs (education, counseling, etc.)
  • Detention in a juvenile facility (less common for first-time offenders)
• If the suspects have prior offenses or the theft is part of a pattern, penalties may be more severe.

Parental Liability:

• Under California Civil Code § 1714.1, parents can be held civilly liable for up to $25,000 in damages caused by their minor children.
• Parents may be required to:
  • Pay restitution for stolen or damaged property
  • Cover court costs or detention expenses
• Criminal liability for parents is rare but possible under Penal Code § 272(a)(2) if they are found to have negligently supervised their child or contributed to the delinquency.

Why People Steal Lego Sets:

• High resale value: Some Lego sets are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, especially rare or discontinued ones.
• Easy to resell: Legos are untraceable, don’t have serial numbers, and are in demand among collectors.
• Organized retail crime: Some thefts are part of larger operations involving resale through online platforms or stores that knowingly buy stolen goods.
• Drug addiction and homelessness: Some individuals steal Legos to quickly convert them into cash for survival or substance use.

How Often Does Lego Theft Happen?

• Lego theft is increasing nationwide, with reports of:
  • Organized rings stealing tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise
  • Individual shoplifters targeting stores like Target, Walmart, and specialty Lego shops
  • Resale stores knowingly buying stolen Lego sets
• In some cities, Lego thefts are as common as thefts of electronics or designer goods.