Lego Larceny

Lego theft appears to be on the rise with French police investigating an international ring of toy thieves with a particular desire for the colourful, interlocking bricks. Three suspects were arrested after stealing boxes of Lego from a toy shop near Paris, with the aim of selling them in Poland. Lego robberies have been happening in other parts of the world as well. In March, a man in Oregon, US, was arrested after local police suspected he stole US$7500 worth of the toy sets. As Lego sets come out in limited editions, they can quickly become collectors’ items. The most valuable sets are still in their original packaging and can be worth up to ten times as much as those that have been opened. One of the most prized sets is the giant Star Wars- inspired Millennium Falcon, which is made up of 5174 pieces, and boasts mini-figures of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. It may be about time to raid the children’s toy box.