Police in Texas have arrested a pair of Lancaster residents suspected of being involved in a $400,000 Lego theft ring that spanned multiple cities and states.

Police have charged Brian Fleming and Ladarion Anderson, both 33, with stealing high-value Lego sets from multiple stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Philadelphia and Florida since 2021, WFAA announced. did. reportedhe said, citing arrest documents. Police suspect they were involved in a criminal organization targeting stores in 50 cities in North Texas.

Police bust $400,000 Lego theft ring that affected more than 50 stores in North Texas, court records reveal https://t.co/dy9UYFThkW

— WFAA (@wfaa) December 11, 2024

The co-conspirators allegedly targeted major retailers such as Target and Walmart. The two used debit and credit cards at the store to purchase items that usually cost less than $2, according to the affidavit. He then falsified the receipt to make it appear as though he had purchased an expensive Lego set at the store.

Authorities say the suspected accomplice then plans to go to the store and retrieve the expensive set. The employees allegedly showed fraudulent receipts to officials when questioned.

At least 10 men are suspected of colluding, according to the affidavit, who then sold the sets to third parties, who then sold them on Amazon and eBay. The third party is said to have sold the fraudulently obtained sets at a discount of up to 70% from the retail price. (Related: Elderly man arrested on suspicion of stealing 2,800 Lego sets, police say)

The police investigation into the suspected criminal organization began in October 2022, when authorities discovered another suspect with 19 stolen Cricut machines in his vehicle, according to police records. The Cricut machine is a “die-cutting machine that can cut a variety of materials for craft projects, including paper, vinyl, and cardstock,” says Craft Stash noticed.

Amazon investigators alleged that the suspect who was selling the machines illegally obtained invoices for Lego sets and other items from Fleming, WFAA reported, citing an affidavit.

Authorities charged the two with engaging in organized crime and theft over $300,000. Fleming is being held on $1.1 million bail and Anderson on $1.141 million bail.