California hit by another LEGO scam as two arrested over minifigure theft

California has once again been the scene of a LEGO-related crime, after a couple were arrested for allegedly attempting to return sets with key pieces missing.

According to police, the pair purchased LEGO Star Wars sets from a Target store in Irvine before quickly returning them after removing the minifigures. 

Based on released images, the affected products appear to include 75447 The Razor Crest and 75444 AT-RT Attack, with missing characters reportedly including Zeb, an Imperial Remnant AT-RT Driver, and both versions of the latest Grogu mould.

The suspects, identified as 30-year-old Luis Alfredo Quintanilla Pompa and 29-year-old Adriana Esquerra Gonzalez, allegedly removed the minifigures before attempting to return the altered sets for full refunds.

A search of their vehicle uncovered a range of LEGO Star Wars items, while further investigation suggested the pair had successfully carried out the same scam at five other retail locations earlier that day.

The arrests follow a similar incident also in Irvine last month, in which another suspect was accused of attempting to return LEGO boxes filled with pasta to secure a refund.

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