Tarrant County Corrections Center/Unsplash
A Texas man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after authorities linked him to a multi-state retail theft operation that involved stealing more than 200 LEGO sets and over $300,000 worth of merchandise.
According to a June 10 release from the Watauga Police Department, 28-year-old Winston Love was convicted of organized retail theft with a deadly weapon. He was later sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $10,000.
Investigators said Love was responsible for a 50-day theft spree in 2025 that stretched across North Texas and Oklahoma, resulting in more than $300,000 in stolen merchandise.
The stolen items included more than 200 LEGO sets, around a dozen coffee makers, several vacuum cleaners, and multiple PlayStation controllers, according to police.
Texas man arrested after alleged LEGO theft from Target
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Love was arrested in October 2025 after allegedly stealing more than $1,200 worth of LEGO sets from a Target store in Watauga.
Authorities tracked Love to a residence where he was taken into custody following a brief standoff, according to the reports.
WFAA reported that investigators recovered a vehicle, more than $5,000 in cash, and narcotics while executing a search warrant at the property.
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Police said the investigation ultimately connected Love to theft cases spanning multiple jurisdictions in Texas and Oklahoma.
The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office said the case marked the first trial prosecuted under Texas’ updated organized retail theft statute, which took effect on September 1, 2025.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of organized retail crime and the danger it poses to our communities,” Detective J. Branscum said in a statement.
“Our department remains committed to holding repeat offenders accountable and protecting both businesses and the public.”
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The case highlights the continued demand for LEGO products, which have also been the focus of other major stories this year, including the ongoing fallout from a legal dispute involving YouTuber Reckless Ben and LEGO reseller Bricks & Minifigs.
