this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2026
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Irvine police department announces bust in pun-filled social media post about alleged $34,000 Lego looting

So much for using his noodle.

A California man pilfered thousands of dollars in Lego toy sets from the retailer Target in a return-based scam, sometimes swapping valuable figurines with dried pasta pieces and before returning the construction-centric toys, authorities recently alleged.

The alleged plot ended with the arrest of 28-year-old Jarrelle Augustine, accused of grand theft for allegedly stealing the Lego sets, whose manufacturer is known for the interlocking miniature bricks and figurines, according to Irvine, California, police.

“You read that correctly,” police said in a Facebook post announcing the 14 April arrest. “We are talking about durum wheat semolina pasta, and what we are calling a pasta-tively terrible plan.”

top 24 comments
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[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 8 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

The interesting thing is that both the pasta and the Legos probably cost around the same to manufacture. Lego are extremely cheap to manufacture, and are incredibly profitable.

[–] mech@feddit.org 5 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Most of the profits Lego generates go to lawyers who sue anyone making anything that has knobs on it.

[–] jellyfishhunter@lemmy.world 2 points 30 minutes ago (1 children)

They don't want you to know that Lego lost that patent years ago and everyone can do the knobs now. They still hold patents on mini figs and their new smart brick though.

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 1 points 4 minutes ago

I heard about the LEGO drama recently (some big promoter went off about quality control and started recommending the other brands) so I checked em out. Pretty cool stuff!

The selection isn't great (a lot of cars) and the mini figs are horrifying but overall, LEGO might be in trouble.

[–] diabetic_porcupine@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago
[–] TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Insane that pasta is worth more than Lego now

[–] wolframhydroxide@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

I think you need to reread the post. The pasta is very clearly the lesser of the two by value.

[–] TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 hour ago

It's a joke.

Let me explain: with the current economy, food prices have increased significantly. So the joke is that pasta would be more expensive than expensive Lego.

[–] ZombieCyborgFromOuterSpace@piefed.ca 43 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (4 children)

Why would be do that??? Legos are way more expensive than pasta!

Edit: I am not a smart man.

[–] tired_n_bored@lemmy.world 1 points 52 minutes ago

These plastic pieces should cost pennies but they sell for $100+ that's crazy

[–] Gork@sopuli.xyz 46 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

Those Legos cost a pretty penne

[–] Akasazh@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

One cannelloni admire this pun

Oooooooh ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️👏👏👏👏👏👏

[–] iltoroargento@startrek.website 19 points 15 hours ago (1 children)
[–] W98BSoD@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 11 hours ago

…....I just told you

[–] U7826391786239@piefed.zip 19 points 16 hours ago

lol

it's almost almost almost friday

[–] ChicoSuave@lemmy.world 10 points 14 hours ago

Target, of all retailers, has an incredibly advanced forensics lab that helps the US FBI solve crimes. Basic electronic fraud was doomed to fail.

[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 4 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Dude screwed up a lot of people’s birthdays or whatever.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 4 points 12 hours ago

What if I really need some elbow pieces?

[–] Baguette@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Bruh

You'd have to use a card you have access to even get a refund, which means you'd either just hand all the info they ever need to charge you, or you commit credit card fraud and use someone else's, which is probably even worse.

[–] gravitas@lem.ugh.im 12 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Does target no longer accept cash?

[–] Baguette@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Yknow I completely forgot about cash because all the stores push card payment. I don't know if you get offered cash back on refund anymore though. Usually these places only offer store credit unless they're legally obligated to.

[–] gravitas@lem.ugh.im 3 points 3 hours ago

You get cash back if you paid with cash. Gift cards would probably also work for a scam like this.

[–] U7826391786239@piefed.zip 0 points 16 hours ago