Early this week, Pierce County deputies arrested a 32-year-old man accused of stealing over $10,000 in Lego sets from a local toy store. The suspect, Caylan Andrew Guerra, was caught after a weeks-long investigation into a bold early-morning theft that highlights growing concerns about crime in Washington state.
Deputies say Guerra smashed into Sasquatch Bricks Toy Store in University Place on February 13 using a U-Haul truck. Surveillance footage showed him loading boxes of collectible Lego sets into the vehicle before fleeing. The store’s owner, Scott Nelson, discovered the theft through his security system and called police.
The break in the case came when deputies tracked Guerra to a storage unit just a mile from the store. They found him passed out in his car outside the unit. Inside, officers recovered all the stolen Legos hidden in the rafters. They also seized illegal firearms, drugs, and drug packaging materials during the raid.
Guerra has a long criminal history, including past charges for property crimes and weapons violations. This time, he faces serious charges like possession of stolen property, illegal gun ownership, and drug trafficking. His repeated run-ins with the law raise questions about how career criminals keep slipping through the cracks.
Store owner Scott Nelson called the theft “brazen” and blamed soft policies for the rise in retail crime. “When thieves know there’s no real punishment, they’ll keep doing it,” he said. His comments echo frustrations from many small business owners tired of bearing the costs of unchecked lawlessness.
The case shines a light on Washington’s struggle with rising crime rates. Critics argue that lenient laws and reduced police funding have emboldened criminals. This Lego heist—targeting a family-friendly business—shows how even quiet communities aren’t safe from today’s crime wave.
Thankfully, sharp police work led to Guerra’s arrest. Deputies praised the teamwork that solved the case, joking they’d “finished this Lego set” by putting all the pieces together. Their success highlights the importance of supporting law enforcement against growing threats.
As Guerra sits in jail, residents are left wondering how many more criminals are out there. This story isn’t just about plastic bricks—it’s about protecting hardworking Americans from those who think rules don’t apply. The message is clear: it’s time to rebuild law and order, block by block.
