A man in Grand Junction, Colorado, pulled off a brazen Lego heist, slipping out of a Barnes & Noble with over $1,200 worth of the collectible bricks. Authorities are now turning to the public for help in tracking him down.
Suspect Caught on Camera During Theft
Surveillance footage from the Barnes & Noble at 2451 Patterson Road captured the suspect in action on the evening of February 11. According to Crime Stoppers of Mesa County, the man entered the store shortly after 6 p.m. and wasted no time executing his plan.
First, he strategically placed several high-value Lego sets near the emergency exit. Then, he left the store as if nothing had happened. But he wasn’t done yet.
A Quick Return and Getaway
A short time later, the suspect came back. This time, he acted fast. He grabbed the stacked Lego sets, stuffed them into a black plastic bag, and dashed out through the emergency door.
With no checkout stop, he managed to walk away with an estimated $1,200 worth of merchandise. Employees discovered the theft after the fact, prompting authorities to release details to the public in hopes of identifying the thief.
Description of the Suspect
Security cameras provided a clear description of the man:
- White male with a neatly trimmed beard and short brown hair.
- Last seen wearing black pants, white shoes, and a black sweater with a white stripe across the center.
The footage offers a strong lead, but investigators still need help identifying the suspect.
Lego Thefts Are on the Rise
Believe it or not, Lego theft is not uncommon. Collectors and resellers know that certain sets can fetch high prices on the secondary market. Some rare or discontinued sets have been sold for thousands of dollars online. This has led to an increase in targeted thefts across the country.
According to a 2023 report by The Guardian, Lego sets are among the most stolen retail items worldwide. Their relatively small size, high resale value, and popularity make them a prime target for thieves looking to make a quick profit.
How to Help Authorities
Investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward. Crime Stoppers of Mesa County has made it easy for the public to submit tips:
- Visit www.241stop.com
to submit an anonymous tip online.
- Call 970-241-7867 to speak with law enforcement.
Tipsters can remain anonymous and may even be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.
Authorities hope someone recognizes the suspect’s description and provides the key detail needed to solve the case. In the meantime, local businesses are on high alert for similar crimes.
