A jury has convicted a Portland man of running an operation to buy and sell stolen LEGO products and other merchandise.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said evidence revealed 41-year-old Raji Afife Azar was buying stolen merchandise from thieves for about 30 cents on the dollar and then selling it on eBay to unsuspecting strangers.
Azar was referred to as a "fence," a term for someone who buys stolen merchandise from thieves.
"This was, relatively speaking, a sophisticated fencing operation," said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey in a news release.
Azar was found guilty of 12 total counts including laundering a monetary instrument, criminal conspiracy to commit theft, computer crime and attempted theft.
After arresting Azar, law enforcement searched his residence and found a large quantity of stolen LEGO products and other merchandise.
Portland Police estimated that the items, stolen from local Fred Meyer stores, were worth approximately $50,000.
Azar’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 15 at the Multnomah County Circuit Court.