A 28-year-old man, Jarrelle Augustine, faces accusations of executing a nationwide scheme involving the pilfering of high-value LEGO sets from Target stores. Authorities claim Augustine repeatedly swapped the coveted plastic bricks and figures for bags of uncooked pasta before returning the altered boxes for refunds. This elaborate charade is believed to have occurred at least 70 times, spanning multiple states, with alleged losses reaching approximately $34,000.
The core of the operation involved Augustine purchasing expensive LEGO sets, meticulously extracting the most valuable pieces and minifigures, and then repacking the boxes with dried pasta. This substitution was reportedly designed to mimic the original weight and sound of the LEGO contents, thereby deceiving store personnel during returns. Evidence found during Augustine's arrest included bags of Goya-brand pasta and the extracted LEGO components, some from popular Star Wars themed sets.
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Arrest and Investigation
Augustine was apprehended in Irvine, California, on Thursday, following an investigation that reportedly began in December after a suspicious return at a Target store. Police utilized surveillance footage to identify him as the suspect. While booked into the Orange County jail on suspicion of grand theft, he has since been released. The Irvine Police Department has indicated that prosecutors will review the approximately 70 linked cases to determine the filing of additional charges across the various jurisdictions where the thefts allegedly took place.
Methodical Deception
Investigators noted that the pasta was chosen specifically to replicate the tactile and auditory cues of LEGO pieces. This allowed the swapped boxes to pass initial scrutiny. Target officials were alerted to the ruse when customers who had purchased these sets complained that they contained pasta instead of LEGOs. The scheme's success relied on exploiting the retail return process, with Augustine reportedly obtaining refunds at Target locations in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Westminster, among others across the country.
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Wider Implications and Background
This case highlights a growing trend of theft targeting popular, high-value consumer goods. While the full extent of Augustine's alleged resale activities remains unclear, police suggest items are typically "offloaded" quickly after theft. The Irvine Police Department shared details of the arrest, employing puns that underscored the peculiar nature of the alleged crime, which they described as a "bad build" that "didn't hold together." The allegations extend to thefts in states such as Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Florida.
