Theft Ring Leader Arrested With $50K-Worth Of Legos, Other Toys

PORTLAND, OR — Police on Thursday arrested the leader of a theft ring who reportedly commissioned addicts and others to steal thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from various businesses around the Portland metro region.

Raji Afife Azar, 40, was booked and released from Multnomah County Jail on April 26. He faces more than 27 counts of varying felonies, including theft, laundering, and computer crimes.

The Portland Police Bureau was notified of Azar's activities after Fred Meyer's Organized Retail Theft Unit and the Northwest Organized Retail Crime Alliance began investigating an alleged fencing operation in early 2018.

After identifying Azar as the leader of the theft ring, undercover investigators began arranging meetings to sell off stolen merchandise for a fraction of the items' original value.

Police reportedly believe Azar would typically commission "people who oftentimes suffered from addiction to opioids and other drugs" for his theft operation. After stealing the merchandise, these individuals would then sell the products to Azar at a considerable discount from the original sale price; Azar in turn would re-sell the merchandise online via Craigslist, EBay, and OfferUp, taking a much greater profit for himself.

The months-long investigation came to a head on April 26 when Azar commissioned undercover officers to steal and sell him roughly $13,000 worth of stolen merchandise.

The undercover investigators reportedly met with Azar in the 10300-block of Southeast Washington Street, near the Mall 205 shopping center, in order to sell the stolen products. After the purchase, Azar was arrested.

Serving a search warrant back at Azar's home in the 2000-block of Southeast 102nd Avenue, investigators reportedly found well more than $50,000 worth of Legos, toys, and other items.

Other than several parking violations and traffic infractions Azar has no significant criminal history; he told jail officials that he works at a Providence Hospital and takes care of his aging parents.

From the Portland Police Bureau:

Investigators remind anyone purchasing items from a non-retail location to be aware of items sold as "new" or in unopened packages with prices that seem too good to be true — the items may be stolen.

Images via Portland Police Bureau