Investigators dubbed a Florida man the “LEGO Bandit” after he allegedly stole thousands of dollars’ worth of LEGO sets from Northeast Florida stores. His last attempt to steal more sets ended with a police pursuit.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office identified Ronald Lorne Tipton as one of the suspects after a detective began investigating thefts at Target on State Road 200 in Yulee. The investigation led to something much more organized.
Tipton allegedly targeted only higher-priced LEGO sets, put them in shopping carts, and left through emergency exits without paying. Investigators say that getaway vehicles were staged outside exits so the merchandise could be loaded and the suspects could leave fast.
Three of the alleged thefts occurred at the Yulee Target on Aug. 18, Aug. 26, and Sept. 12, with the stolen LEGO sets valued at more than $3,000.
Brick By Brick
On Aug. 18, Tipton allegedly entered Target and selected four high-dollar LEGO sets to steal. He escaped with the sets, resulting in a loss of more than $900 for Target.
Tipton then returned on Aug. 26, where surveillance cameras caught him grabbing multiple LEGO sets before loading the merchandise into a white Mazda. The two Target incidents resulted in a combined loss of about $2,500.
Then on Sept. 12, investigators say Tipton returned yet again to steal five more expensive LEGO sets valued at just under $1,300.
A U-Haul Getaway
Investigators continued to look into the thefts on Sept. 15, when Tipton allegedly targeted the Walmart on State Road 200.
Surveillance showed him checking the LEGO aisle before leaving and entering a U-Haul. He then returned and allegedly stole 12 more LEGO sets. Walmart tried to confront Tipton, but he fled instead.
An NCSO investigator spotted the U-Haul traveling nearby and attempted to stop it. Tipton struck the investigator’s left arm with the open driver’s door before driving off erratically.
U-Haul Meets a Tree
The pursuit continued toward Sadler Road in Fernandina Beach. The U-Haul entered multiple parking lots before a deputy pinned the truck against a tree.
Fernandina Beach police helped take Tipton and a second suspect, Jessica Underwood, into custody. Underwood was charged with unrelated drug offenses. Investigators also determined Tipton was allegedly involved in additional retail thefts throughout Northeast Florida, with the combined value of stolen merchandise exceeding $20,000.
Tipton faces charges including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing with injury or damage, coordinating others in retail theft over $3,000, dealing in stolen property, possession of controlled substances, and driving under the influence.
All parties are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.