Man allegedly returned Lego boxes stuffed with pasta to Target stores

Jarelle Augustine of Paramount, California, was arrested and charged with grand theft for allegedly removing Lego mini figures from boxes and replacing them with dried pasta, the Irvine Police Department said on social media.

According to police, Target connected Augustine to at least 70 thefts of stolen goods nationwide, totaling more than $34,000.

Augustine, 28, was booked into the Orange County jail April 15 and released the following day, according to arrest records. It's unclear whether he has an attorney.

USA Today contacted Target for comment but did not receive a response.

The Irvine Police Department shared surveillance footage from Target that allegedly shows Augustine purchasing some of the Lego sets, which they say he later returned without the toys inside.

In some cases, Augustine returned the Lego boxes with dried pasta bags, which resemble those used in many of the sets.

Officials recovered dozens of Lego toys during their investigation, according to photos shared by the Irvine Police Department.

In one photo, dozens of bags of elbow pasta are seen near a box for a Lego Avengers Tower set, which retails for $499.99 on the company's website.