GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV) - A man police believe is behind a string of thefts totaling more than $4,000 in Legos from a Walmart in Gaston County is wanted.
The suspect reportedly hit the store on East Franklin Boulevard at least five times over the last month, employing a unique method to carry out the thefts.
According to police records, the thefts began on Nov. 20, when a $110 Lego spaceship was stolen.
Six days later, the man returned and stole seven Lego sets worth $1,000.
The spree continued with another theft on Nov. 30, when $1,220 in Lego products were taken.
In December, two additional incidents occurred: on Dec. 5, $1,066 worth of Legos were stolen, and on Dec. 11, another $810 in products disappeared from the store.
Police reports provide details on the suspect's method. The man reportedly goes to the toy section, selects a large box, removes its contents, and fills it with Lego sets. He then reseals the box, scans it at self-checkout, and leaves the store.
While he does appear to pay for the large box, the Lego kits inside are worth significantly more. Surveillance images released by Gastonia police show the suspect riding away on an electric scooter, carrying a large box. In some cases, the man is seen being picked up in a red sedan.
A Walmart spokesperson sent us the following statement regarding the thefts:
"Retail theft is a challenge across the entire retail industry, and we're focused on taking steps to protect our associates, customers , and merchandise."
Gastonia Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect and are urging anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers or the police department. If you recognize the man or the red sedan seen in surveillance images, your tip could help authorities track him down.
Lego thefts are not unique to Gastonia.
Nationwide, law enforcement has reported large-scale thefts of Lego products, which are highly sought after by collectors and online resellers.
In June, police in Springfield, Oregon, recovered over $200,000 worth of stolen Legos in a major bust.
More recently, two men in Texas were arrested for stealing more than $400,000 worth of Lego sets from Walmarts and Targets in multiple states. Authorities believe they intended to resell the sets online.