A Salem man was arrested this month in connection with an organized retail theft investigation that recovered nearly $500,000 in stolen property, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.
Detectives executed a search warrant of the man’s residence after several months investigating a suspected fencing operation there.
Investigators found more than 2,200 Lego sets, more than 8,500 videos and video sets, more than 800 vinyl records and more than 1,000 toys. They estimated the total value to be about $495,000.
The 48-year-old man was booked into Marion County Jail on Aug. 19 on charges including organized retail theft, money laundering, and first degree theft by receiving.
The man registered a business, Toyologist LLC, in August 2023, operating out of his home address. Documents filed with the secretary of state identify the business’s purpose as “ecommerce of reusable items, thrifted items.”
According to a statement detailing the cause for his arrest, the man was purchasing the items from shoplifters and reselling them.