The search of Brick Builders occurred as part of an investigation that authorities had been conducting for three months. The Springfield Police Department identified Ammon Henrikson, the owner of Brick Builders, and another individual, Albert Nash, as suspects in the case.
Henrikson is facing accusations from the police that he "knowingly purchased new, unopened sets of Legos that had been stolen from local retail stores" including Target, Fred Meyer, Barnes & Noble and Walmart, Fox Business reports.
Individuals had allegedly "stole[n] hundreds of dollars’ worth of Legos and then immediately went to the Brick Builders store to exchange the stolen items for cash most often at a fraction of their actual retail value" on several different occasions, according to law enforcement.
"We all feel the impact of organized retail theft through the increasing cost of items we buy for our families," Springfield Police Chief Andrew Shearer said on Facebook. "SPD is proud of the work of our officers, and we are committed to the pursuit of those behind these crimes in our community."