Lancaster, TX– An investigation by the DPS has resulted in the arrest of at least two individuals involved in a scheme that allegedly stole Lego sets valued at $400,000 from Walmart and Target locations across four states, with plans to resell them online.
In November, authorities apprehended two individuals in Tarrant County linked to this operation: Brian Keith Fleming, 33, and Ladarion Dontre Anderson, 33, both hailing from Lancaster, Texas. In December, Fleming was taken into custody at the Smith County Jail for allegations related to thefts from four stores in East Texas.
During a traffic stop on October 14, 2022, a trooper discovered 19 unopened machines. The document indicates that the driver failed to provide a believable explanation regarding their presence in the vehicle or their origin. Following the apprehension of an individual due to a separate outstanding warrant, the trooper reached out to Walmart Global Investigations and a Target investigator to confirm that the machines were indeed stolen, as stated in the document.
Officials secured a search warrant for two mobile devices found in the vehicle, and the text message records on those phones initiated a cross-state investigation.
The documents disclosed discussions regarding the theft of Cricut machines intended for resale to an outside party at a discounted price, according to the affidavit. The documents also referenced purportedly relocating Lego sets in a similar manner. An investigation was conducted by the postal inspector regarding a buyer who allegedly paid cash for items and subsequently resold them on various online platforms, including Amazon and eBay, according to the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, the inquiry uncovered that Fleming and Anderson collaborated with a group of five “shoppers” to steal the sets from retail locations throughout Texas. Surveillance footage from Walmart shows the pair strolling through the Lego section before purchasing several other items, each priced between $1 and $2.
According to the report, one of the five individuals would enter the store and select a corresponding number of Lego sets to place in a cart before exiting without purchasing. If confronted, they would present the receipt for the items purchased by Fleming or Anderson, albeit with altered names and prices.
According to the affidavit, investigators from Walmart and Target have assessed that the total value of the stolen items exceeds $400,000.
Fleming and Anderson face serious charges related to organized crime and theft exceeding $300,000.
Fleming entered the Smith County Jail on December 6, while Anderson continues to be held at the Tarrant County Corrections Center. The bond amount for the two charges is established at $1,100,000.