Police Find LEGOs, Shotgun, And Disembodied Figurines

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Police arrested a man accused of leading a complicated and lucrative LEGO racket after finding a shotgun and tens of thousands of LEGO pieces including disassembled minifigures with bodies separated from heads, neatly organized by facial expression.

A man was arrested after an investigation into an organized retail theft operation that spanned two counties and involved national big-box retailers.

In September 2025, detectives with the Santa Rosa Police Department's property crimes investigations team launched a "complex" investigation into an organized retail theft operation involving Robert Lopez, a 39-year-old resident of Lake County.

Detectives on Monday served a search warrant at Lopez’s residence in the 18000 block of Spyglass Road in Hidden Valley Lake, Lake County.

During the search, detectives discovered tens of thousands of LEGO pieces spread throughout the home, indicating a large-scale operation involving collectible items, according to police.

The living room was filled with tubs, bins, and desks covered in loose LEGO pieces, along with numerous unopened boxes of new LEGO sets, according to Sgt. Patricia Seffens.

In the kitchen, thousands more pieces were scattered, and hundreds of disassembled LEGO mini-figures were found with bodies separated from heads, which were neatly organized by facial expression.

Detectives found unopened LEGO boxes lining the hallway floor, approximately 100 assembled minifigures displayed on shelves in the garage, along with more unopened sets, large tubs of loose pieces, and broken-down packaging.

Detectives also located numerous mini figurines individually packaged in small plastic baggies.

In a safe, they found ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and two firearms — a pump-action pistol grip shotgun with a collapsible stock loaded with a drum-style magazine, and an assault rifle with a loaded high-capacity magazine inserted into it.

A loaded handgun was in a lockbox in Lopez’s bedroom dresser, police said.

Lopez is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms, as well as ammunition.

The scene suggested systematic sorting and potential resale activity, consistent with fencing operations involving high-demand collectible items, according to Seffens.

Police believe Lopez was directing others to steal expensive LEGO sets, then purchasing the stolen property at a reduced price in order to then resell the sets, or individual mini figurines, at a higher price.

Police said Lopez also directed others to steal specific LEGO sets.

Lopez was arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail.

Police estimated $6,000 worth of stolen LEGOs were recovered. Digital evidence was also located during the search warrant indicates Lopez was directing other individuals to steal merchandise for him to purchase later, according to Seffens.

The sale of stolen LEGO collectible figurines is a growing concern due to their high resale value, popularity among collectors, and ease of concealment. These items are often targeted because they’re small, untraceable, and in high demand, making them ideal for quick resale through online marketplaces or informal channels, police said.

Target and Walmart coordinated with detectives during the investigation.

Although the investigation is largely complete, detectives are continuing to investigate this incident to identify any additional suspects and attempt to determine which retailers the seized LEGOs came from.

Organized retail theft involves coordinated theft, trafficking, and resale of stolen goods often through seemingly legitimate channels such as online marketplaces, pawn shops, flea markets, or informal street-level transactions.

Investigations are complex and resource-intensive, frequently involving multiple suspects, digital evidence, and the need to trace stolen property across jurisdictions, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

They affect consumers who may unknowingly purchase stolen items and face financial loss or legal complications.