NORTH COAST, Calif. — A Lake County man has been arrested for his involvement in what the Santa Rosa Police Department said is a fencing operation for retail theft.

Robert Lopez, 39, of Hidden Valley Lake was arrested as a result of the investigation.

In a post on its Facebook page, the Santa Rosa Police Department reported that in September, detectives with its Property Crimes Investigations Team, or PCI, began a complex investigation into an organized retail theft fencing operation involving Lopez.

Detectives learned Lopez was directing others to steal expensive LEGO sets and purchasing the stolen property at a reduced price to turn around and resell the sets or individual mini figurines at inflated prices.

PCI detectives reviewed digital evidence, conducted surveillance, and collaborated with organized retail theft investigators from both Target and Walmart as they conducted this investigation. 

Police said the investigation uncovered additional evidence that Lopez was actively involved in organized retail theft, specifically targeting LEGO sets and communicating with local retail thieves to commit thefts of specified items at his direction. 

On Oct. 13, detectives served a search warrant at Lopez’s residence in the 18000 block of Spyglass Road in Hidden Valley Lake.

During the service of a search warrant at the residence, detectives discovered tens of thousands of LEGO pieces spread throughout the home, indicating a large-scale operation involving the collectible items.

The living room was filled with tubs, bins and desks covered in loose LEGO pieces, along with numerous unopened boxes of new LEGO sets. 

In the kitchen, thousands more pieces were scattered, and hundreds of disassembled LEGO minifigures were found with bodies separated from heads, which were neatly organized by facial expression.

Unopened LEGO boxes lined the hallway floor, and the garage contained approximately 100 assembled mini figures displayed on shelves, along with more unopened sets, large tubs of loose pieces, and broken-down packaging. 

Police said the scene suggested systematic sorting and potential resale activity, consistent with fencing operations involving high-demand collectible items. Detectives also located numerous mini figurines individually packaged in small plastic baggies. 

The sale of stolen LEGO collectible figurines is a growing concern due to their high resale value, popularity among collectors, and ease of concealment. Police said these items are often targeted because they’re small, untraceable, and in high demand, making them ideal for quick resale through online marketplaces or informal channels.

Located in a safe was ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and two firearms: a pump-action pistol grip shotgun with a collapsible stock loaded with a drum-style magazine, and an assault rifle with a loaded high-capacity magazine inserted into it. A loaded handgun was also located in a lockbox in Lopez’s bedroom dresser. 

Lopez, a convicted felon, is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and/or ammunition, police said.

Lopez was arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail for organized retail theft and receiving stolen property, organizing or directing retail theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, three counts of a felon in possession of a firearm, a felon in possession of ammunition and possession of an assault rifle.

It is believed that over $6,000 in stolen LEGOs were recovered during the service of the search warrant. Digital evidence was also located during the search warrant that indicates Lopez was directing other individuals to steal merchandise for him to purchase later. 

“Although the investigation is largely complete, PCI detectives are continuing to investigate this incident to identify any additional suspects and attempt to determine what retail establishments the seized LEGOs were stolen from,” police reported.

Organized retail theft is a serious and growing issue that involves the coordinated theft, trafficking, and resale of stolen goods — often through seemingly legitimate channels such as online marketplaces, pawn shops, flea markets or informal street-level transactions.

“These investigations are complex and resource-intensive, frequently involving multiple suspects, digital evidence, and the need to trace stolen property across jurisdictions. The impact of these crimes extends beyond retailers, harming consumers who may unknowingly purchase stolen items and face financial loss or legal complications,” the police department said.

“The Santa Rosa Police Department remains committed to identifying and dismantling organized retail theft networks to protect businesses, consumers, and the integrity of our local economy,” the report explained. 

“This operation was made possible through our valued partnership with the Loss Prevention Agents and Asset Protection for the Target and Walmart corporations, committed to protecting their customers and combating organized retail theft,” the report said. “Their collaboration and dedication to public safety have been instrumental in the success of this investigation, and we are deeply grateful for their continued support.”