Irvine ‘pasta bandit’ accused of swapping LEGO sets for noodles in $34K scheme

A Southern California man’s alleged “brick” hustle has landed him behind bars after police say he pulled off a bizarre pasta-filled scam targeting LEGO sets.

According to the Irvine Police Department, 28-year-old Paramount resident Jarrelle Augustine was arrested Tuesday following an investigation into a string of thefts at Target stores.

Authorities say the suspect carried out the scheme at least 70 times, racking up roughly $34,000 in stolen goods nationwide.

Police allege Augustine purchased boxed LEGO sets, removed valuable mini figures and select pieces, then stuffed the packages with dried “durum wheat semolina pasta” before returning them for refunds.

Target flagged the repeated incidents, prompting detectives to investigate.

Surveillance operations eventually led officers to identify Augustine as the suspect behind what police dubbed a “LEGO crime spree.”

In a social media post packed with pasta puns, the department described the operation as a “pasta-tively terrible plan” and a “bad build” that ultimately “didn’t hold together.”

Detectives, they said, “snapped into action” before taking Augustine into custody.

Video released by the department shows Augustine shopping for LEGO sets, along with body camera footage of his arrest.

Images also revealed bags of Goya-brand pasta allegedly used in the swaps, as well as recovered LEGO pieces, including figures from “Star Wars” sets.

Augustine was booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of grand theft.

Police left the public with one final jab: “If your master plan involves swapping LEGOs for linguine, we can promise your plan will be cooked al dente.”