Authorities in Adelaide have arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with a massive retail theft operation after uncovering a staggering A$250,000 ($163,400; £120,800) worth of stolen Lego and toys.

South Australian Police revealed that approximately 2,500 items were recovered during a raid on a home in Royal Park, including 1,700 unopened Lego sets. The collection was so vast that it required extra officers to assist in removing the items, which filled three truckloads.

According to investigators, the stolen toys, featuring popular brands such as Pokémon, Barbie, Hello Kitty, and Thomas the Tank Engine, were intended for illegal resale online, targeting unsuspecting bargain-hunters on the internet.

“The size of the haul is significant and indicates the depth of the alleged offending,” said John De Candia of South Australia Police, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the seizure.

The raid was part of a wider retail crime crackdown, where local shops have joined forces with law enforcement to target repeat offenders and individuals who use violence or intimidation during thefts.

Police stressed the importance of consumer responsibility, urging the public not to purchase cheap goods online without verifying their legitimacy.

“This type of theft is not victimless,” De Candia emphasized. “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 set to appear at Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on September 30.

Authorities reported that the operation has already led to a drop in shoplifting cases across South Australia, with around 2,500 arrests made in recent months.

However, the issue of retail theft extends far beyond Australia. Globally, retailers have been grappling with a surge in organized shoplifting. A recent UK survey revealed that reports of customer theft rose by 3.7 million to 20.4 million in the year leading up to September 2024, costing businesses an estimated £2 billion.