Los Angeles, Ca
2 Southern California suspects arrested in massive LEGO theft bust
Two suspects were arrested in a massive organized retail theft bust involving thousands of dollars worth of stolen LEGO toys.
The suspects were identified as Richard Siegel, 71, from Long Beach and Blanca Gudino, 39, from Lawndale, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
In December 2023, detectives were alerted to a string of thefts at a Target store in the 1700 block of North Gaffey Street in San Pedro.
Loss prevention workers identified Gudino as the suspect involved.
On June 4, police witnessed Gudino allegedly stealing LEGO products from Target stores in Torrance and Lakewood. She would then drop off the merchandise at Siegel’s home in Long Beach.
The next day, a search warrant was served at the Long Beach home where officers discovered over 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO toy sets.
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Over 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO toy sets were discovered inside a Long Beach home during a massive theft ring bust. (Los Angeles Police Department) -
Over 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO toy sets were discovered inside a Long Beach home during a massive theft ring bust. (Los Angeles Police Department) -
Over 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO toy sets were discovered inside a Long Beach home during a massive theft ring bust. (Los Angeles Police Department)
Photos of the massive bust show countless rows of LEGO boxes stored on shelves that took over the living room in a warehouse-like fashion.
Most of the stolen toys were collector’s items or pricier sets. The individual retail value for each item ranged anywhere between $20 to over $1,000, LAPD said.
Among the stolen sets were collectible Star Wars, Ninjago, Harry Potter, Technic vehicles, LEGO Architecture, Marvel, Minecraft, special pop-culture editions and more,
One of the stolen items even appeared to be a demo set housed in a plexiglass that is typically displayed inside a store.
While investigating Siegel’s residence, police witnessed potential toy buyers arriving at the home, brought in by advertisements that Siegel had posted online.
Siegel was arrested on charges of organized retail theft and Gudino was arrested for grand theft.
The incidents remain under investigation.
This bust follows similar thefts targeting Bricks & Minifigs stores throughout Southern California.
During those incidents, thieves smashed their way into multiple stores before escaping with around $100,000 worth of LEGO toys.
Anyone with information on the case can call Harbor Area detectives at 310-726-7900. The public can also call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers by sending texts to 274637. All text messages should begin with the letters, “LAPD.”
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
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