4cs Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Some of you might remember I posted this Summer about selling off a 1,000+ collection of Lego to raise money for a new home purchase. I input everything into Brickfolio and discovered I had 1,098 sets valued at $55k. I started selling the sets selectively on Craigslist and Amazon and raised about $16-18k over the last month and then came into my warehouse this morning only to discover that most of my remaining sets have been stolen. The Sheriff's department just left, but it is pretty obvious the suspects knew what they were looking for, they took some sets and left others. They hauled out a couple hundred sets and even stole two moving dollies in the process. I only met 6 buyers here, and have turned their names over to the police in any hopes they can investigate and catch them. I noticed this past Monday just two sets were missing (a Temple of Airjitzu and an Ewok Village) and left work last night to purchase a security camera system with plans to install them today before the weekend. Please keep an eye out for anyone trying to dump a new collection for sale online in the West Michigan area. I would think Ebay, Craigslist, Amazon, Brick Classifieds, etc. These were Lego people, they knew what to take and what to leave. The volume of the sets suggests to me they plan on selling them whole or parting them out (10 of this, 15 of that, 8 of those, etc.). I would really appreciate any information that anyone finds regarding new sellers or large amounts being sold off a large discounts be passed on to me. If you prefer to contact the Kent County Sheriff's Department directly, I can pm their contact information. On a side note, we moved into our new house last week and love it. It breaks my heart that people I invited in to see and purchase from our collection would hurt us this way. Some of the older sets I was saving for my four kids to give as special Holiday and Graduation gifts when they were older. Now I need to go do a new inventory and discover the real extent of the damages. Thanks, Jonathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarleyMoose Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 That's a bummer Jonathan. Wish you luck in finding these scumbags. Hopefully you were insured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudcatsfan Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 So, so, so, so very sorry to hear this. Sending a prayer your family's way but hopefully you'll be made whole and justice will find the criminals. Also hoping your new home is everything you hoped for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil B Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 This is a scary story. So sorry for what you have gone through here, and I hope that you have enough information to lead to the suspects. I do not know where your warehouse is, but if it is a self-storage type unit, I would make sure folks there are also questioned. Keep us posted and let us know how else we can help (I'm not in the West Michigan area). Perhaps posting a set list once you have it will be useful in hunting these folks down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcandre Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 So sorry to hear this. Will keep an eye out. I live in NC but my folks are in Michigan and I often look for deals there. Good advice for new sellers - Never have people pick up sets at your home. I always do at my office where we have security or a safe public place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exciter1 Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Terrible news and I hope you get retribution. Very sorry for the loss and the hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichiroll Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 So sorry that you are going through this. I totally feel your pain as so many of my collections, not just lego, I collect for my kids to enjoy later in life. Really hope the authorities find these guys! What camera system did you get? I recently put in Nest Cams in my house. Both indoor and outdoor cams work remarkably well, and looking back at footage is super easy. There is however the issue of it constantly recording to the cloud and having that info "available"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Brickowski Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 12 minutes ago, 4cs said: Some of you might remember I posted this Summer about selling off a 1,000+ collection of Lego to raise money for a new home purchase. I input everything into Brickfolio and discovered I had 1,098 sets valued at $55k. I started selling the sets selectively on Craigslist and Amazon and raised about $16-18k over the last month and then came into my warehouse this morning only to discover that most of my remaining sets have been stolen. The Sheriff's department just left, but it is pretty obvious the suspects knew what they were looking for, they took some sets and left others. They hauled out a couple hundred sets and even stole two moving dollies in the process. I only met 6 buyers here, and have turned their names over to the police in any hopes they can investigate and catch them. I noticed this past Monday just two sets were missing (a Temple of Airjitzu and an Ewok Village) and left work last night to purchase a security camera system with plans to install them today before the weekend. Please keep an eye out for anyone trying to dump a new collection for sale online in the West Michigan area. I would think Ebay, Craigslist, Amazon, Brick Classifieds, etc. These were Lego people, they knew what to take and what to leave. The volume of the sets suggests to me they plan on selling them whole or parting them out (10 of this, 15 of that, 8 of those, etc.). I would really appreciate any information that anyone finds regarding new sellers or large amounts being sold off a large discounts be passed on to me. If you prefer to contact the Kent County Sheriff's Department directly, I can pm their contact information. On a side note, we moved into our new house last week and love it. It breaks my heart that people I invited in to see and purchase from our collection would hurt us this way. Some of the older sets I was saving for my four kids to give as special Holiday and Graduation gifts when they were older. Now I need to go do a new inventory and discover the real extent of the damages. Thanks, Jonathan Investigating the theft of Lego sets sounds like a perfect combination of hobby and profession for Mr. Rockefeller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMGLEGEE Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Terrible news. Hope you will get all the stolen sets back intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bold-Arrow Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Horrible news , hoping the culprits are caught . A member had the same issue a while back , she was pretty vigilant and noticed her sets appearing on eBay . After some back and forth with the "seller" , police was able to apprehend the thief and she confessed . good luck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mezzaluna Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 what kind of person steals plastic bricks, just saying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bold-Arrow Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 1 minute ago, Knightwing01 said: what kind of person steals plastic bricks, just saying 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mezzaluna Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 1 minute ago, Bold-Arrow said: Chase McCain, but why! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandwraith Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 I actually had a dream last night that someone stole all of my built collection items out of our moving truck as we were moving (we are actually moving soon and this did cross my mind, hence the dream about it i suppose) This sucks, i genuinely have that terrible feeling in my gut for you I hope something goes your way in the investigation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4cs Posted October 14, 2016 Author Share Posted October 14, 2016 Thanks for all the kind words everyone. I just noticed they stole all of my bulk boxes of bubble mailers, from 4x6 size on up. That suggests to me they might intend on parting some or all the sets out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TabbyBoy Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Sorry to hear the bad news and I hope that your insurance covers the current value of the items stolen. I've always been worried about this and I've always either met buyers (only who I've dealt with before) at my house where we have hidden CCTV in all rooms and everywhere outside and no LEGO is stored there apart from what's being picked up. I will NEVER meet a buyer at my lock-up for obvious reasons. I often have nightmares about my lock-up either being flooded, catching fire or even falling into a sink-hole! It's very secure and fully insured so I doubt that I'll be turned over any time soon. Thieves are just the scum of the Earth! They are just too damn lazy to get a proper job or make a decent living! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth_Raichu Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 That is horrible. I hope you get those stolen sets back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weitzel78 Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Sorry to hear about this. Reinforces the need to meet people in public places for local pickup. Don't let people inside your vault! I have to think this mix of items would be easy to spot on the traditional sources- ebay, CL, etc. So if they are "smart" they would want to fence them at a pawn shop or something that doesn't involve an ad, I'd look around at those. But it's going to be near impossible to get any recourse since Lego does not include serial numbers to prove ownership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poly 30286 Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 This breaks my heart. I hope you, your family, and the authorities are able to bring some peace and justice to this situation. If nothing else, be thankful that this was not a home invasion and you are all still safe. I cannot condone such a violation, but at least this was a nonviolent act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilandirene Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Really sorry to hear about this. Makes me wonder my own practices of selling via Craigslist and where to meet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labfreak7 Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Did you check to see if your homeowners insurance covers any of it?When I inventoried my Lego, I had called my insurance company, and they said that as long as I have an inventory, I am covered against theft. I never let anyone see my collection for this reason, nor do I let anyone pick up Lego from my home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salimr Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 I'm in west Michigan too and have had some bad experiences and least odd with people asking too many questions or really trying to know where I store sets. I'm in Kalamazoo/portage but would be happy to help out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salimr Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Those and more just came up on Craigslist kalamazoo. They want 100 each. Seems very odd. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcandre Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 14 minutes ago, Salimr said: Those and more just came up on Craigslist kalamazoo. They want 100 each. Seems very odd. Those pics have shown up on CL here. It's a scam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salimr Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 15 minutes ago, marcandre said: Those pics have shown up on CL here. It's a scam. I figured. The different floor in each photo seemed odd then the asking price I knew it was fraud. Too bad it's not the guys stollen sets though as I hope he gets them back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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