On July 3, 2024, the Springfield Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) conducted a search at the ‘Brick Builders’ store located at 1133 Willamette Street in Eugene, as part of a three-month-long investigation. The operation revealed that the store’s owner, 47-year-old Ammon Henrikson, had been knowingly buying unopened Lego sets that had been stolen from local retail stores. The investigation found that suspects were stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of Lego sets and then immediately selling them to the Brick Builders store for cash, often at a fraction of their retail value. The money received from these transactions was frequently used by the suspects to allegedly purchase illegal drugs.
The Springfield Police Department collaborated with loss prevention investigators from several major retailers, including Target, Fred Meyer, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart, to verify that Henrikson was purchasing stolen Lego sets from these stores. During the execution of the search warrant, officers recovered 4,153 Lego sets valued at over $200,000.
Chief Andrew Shearer emphasized the broader impact of organized retail theft on the community, noting the increased costs of goods as a result of such crimes. He praised the efforts of the Crime Reduction Unit and their retail partners in addressing and combating retail theft, reaffirming the department’s commitment to pursuing those responsible for these crimes.
Henrikson, along with 57-year-old Albert Nash from Eugene, who was also implicated, faces charges of Organized Retail Theft and Theft I by Receiving. Anyone with relevant information about this case is encouraged to contact the Springfield Police Department at 541.726.3714 or police@springfield-or.gov.