An Australian man is facing theft charges after police uncovered a significant trove of Lego and toys worth $250,000 (£120,800; $163,400) allegedly stolen from department stores in Adelaide.
About 2,500 items, including 1,700 unopened boxes of Lego, were found when South Australian police raided a Royal Park home on Saturday.
The haul - which police say was going to be sold online - was the largest seized during an operation targeting retail theft in the state, and was so big that extra officers were called in to help remove the loot, which filled three truck loads.
The 41-year-old man charged over the stash will appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on September 30.
Apart from the Lego, other stolen items included soft toys, water guns, and toy trucks with brands such as Pokémon, Barbie, Hello Kitty, and Thomas the Tank Engine.
John De Candia from South Australia Police stated, The size of the haul is significant and indicates the depth of the alleged offending. He elaborated that the initiative sees shops team up with police to catch alleged thieves and primarily targets repeat offenders and violent acts during theft.
As the stolen items were believed to be bound for online sales, police urged consumers to avoid purchasing cheap goods from questionable sources on the internet. De Candia warned, This type of theft is not victimless. Those who purchase cheap goods from online sites are unwittingly facilitating this crime and we would urge them to consider this.
Authorities emphasized that retail crime has been escalating globally, with a documented increase in customer theft reported by retailers in the UK.
The recent operation in South Australia has reportedly led to a decrease in shop thefts, with police making around 2,500 arrests in recent months.
}
