Thief makes $34,000 by buying expensive LEGO sets then returning them full of pasta shells

A man has been arrested for buying expensive LEGO sets, removing pieces from the boxes, and returning them full of pasta shells.

Irvine Police Department, California, said retailer Target had reported at least 70 thefts nationwide “tied to the same suspect,” resulting in roughly $34,000 in losses.

Images released by authorities show boxes of LEGO alongside bags of pasta, with what appears to be hundreds of stolen figurines and pieces.

Jarrelle Augustine, 28, of Paramount, was identified and arrested for grand theft and booked at the Orange County Jail.

The police department added: “If your master plan involves swapping LEGOs for linguine, we can promise your plan will be cooked al dente.”

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