71-year-old man arrested after police found over 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO sets in his home

A 71-year-old man was arrested in his house after police found over 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO sets.

CBS News, citing the Los Angeles Police Department, reported that officers arrested Richard Siegel and his alleged accomplice, 39-year-old Blanca Gudino, following a raid in his Long Beach home.

Each box has a retail value between $20 and $1,000 (P1,100 and P58,000).

Detectives began their investigation after a retailer from the San Pedro neighborhood identified Gudino as a suspect who had allegedly robbed them several times in December, according to CBS News.

Last June 4, officers saw Gudino stealing items from retailers in the cities of Torrance and Lakewood before dropping them off at Siegel's home.

Detectives believe Siegel intend to sell the stolen goods online, as several potential buyers showed up at his home while police raided it.

Siegel was booked for organized retail theft, while Gudino was booked for grand theft.

According to California laws, grand theft happens when anyone steals property or services worth over $950 (P55,000).

Penalties for grand theft include a term of up to three years in a state prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000 (P290,000).

Organized retail theft, meanwhile, applies to a person who coordinates with one or more individuals to steal merchandise with the intent to sell, exchange, or return it for value; receives, purchases, or possesses said merchandise; acts as an agent of another individual or group to steal merchandise; and recruits, coordinates, organizes, supervises, directs, manages, or finances one's aforementioned actions.

Penalties for organized retail theft include imprisonment of up to one year.