Man Arrested for Replacing Lego Pieces With Dried Pasta for Refunds

Irvine police have identified a suspect in a series of Lego thefts involving the substitution of toy pieces with dried pasta to fraudulently obtain refunds from retail stores.

According to investigators, the suspect purchased Lego sets from Target stores, removed the original pieces, replaced them with dried pasta, resealed the boxes, and then returned the altered products for cash refunds. The scheme was uncovered after store employees noticed inconsistencies in the weight and sound of returned boxes, prompting a review of surveillance footage.

Detectives traced the suspect to a residence in Paramount, California, where he was apprehended following a coordinated investigation. Authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s full identity in public statements but confirmed that he is being held on suspicion of fraud and theft-related offenses.

Investigators noted that the use of dried pasta was particularly deceptive because, when shaken, the altered boxes produced a sound similar to that of genuine Lego pieces inside, making the tampering difficult to detect without closer inspection.

Police said the investigation remains active, with officials reviewing additional returns and surveillance data to determine the full scope of the scheme and whether other individuals may be involved.