Adelaide Man Charged After $250,000 Lego & Toy Haul Discovered
Adelaide, Australia – A 41-year-old man is facing theft and unlawful possession charges after police uncovered a massive cache of allegedly stolen Lego and toys valued at $250,000. The discovery, made at a Royal Park address on Saturday, August 30, 2025, represents the largest single seizure under South Australia police’s Operation Measure, a retail theft initiative.
Police say the haul included approximately 2,500 individual items, with 1,700 being unopened boxes of Lego. Authorities believe the goods were stolen from multiple department stores across the adelaide metropolitan area and were intended for resale online.
Removing the stolen merchandise required three truckloads, assisted by Water Operations officers, due to the sheer volume.
“The size of the haul is significant and indicates the depth of the alleged offending we will allege has been taking place,” said Acting Assistant Commissioner Metropolitan Operations Service John De Candia.
Operation Measure focuses on identifying and arresting repeat offenders involved in retail theft, and has so far resulted in nearly 2,500 arrests or reports as its launch.
De Candia also cautioned consumers, stating, ”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.”
The accused man is scheduled to appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court later this month. Police continue to work with the retail sector to identify theft patterns and those responsible.
