Australian man charged after massive $250,000 toy theft

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025

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rki.news Adelaide, September 2, 2025

An Australian man has been arrested after police discovered a huge collection of stolen Lego and toys worth an estimated A$250,000 during a raid in Adelaide.
South Australia Police said they uncovered more than 2,500 items, including 1,700 unopened Lego sets, soft toys, water guns, and branded merchandise such as Pokémon, Barbie, Hello Kitty and Thomas the Tank Engine. The stash was found at a Royal Park residence and was so large that officers required three truckloads to transport the seized goods.
Authorities believe the items were intended for online resale. John De Candia from South Australia Police described the recovery as “significant,” highlighting the scale of the alleged crime. The 41-year-old suspect has been charged with theft and will appear before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 30 September.
The discovery came as part of a wider police operation targeting retail crime across South Australia. The initiative, which sees police work closely with retailers, has already led to about 2,500 arrests and a reduction in shoplifting cases.
Police urged consumers to be cautious when purchasing cheap goods online, warning that such sales often fuel organized theft. “This type of crime is not victimless,” De Candia said, calling on the public to avoid supporting illicit trade.