WATAUGA, TX - A man accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of Lego sets from Target stores across Texas is behind bars after a brief standoff with police on Halloween evening.
According to the Watauga Police Department, officers responded around 5 p.m. on October 31 to a theft at the Target on Denton Highway, where store employees reported a man had taken more than $1,200 in Lego merchandise and fled before officers arrived.
Investigators quickly tracked the suspect to a nearby residence. After establishing communication, officers persuaded the man to surrender peacefully following a short standoff. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Winston Love, was taken into custody without incident.
Love faces a State Jail Felony Theft charge and had eight outstanding felony warrants for theft-related crimes in Tarrant, Dallas, and Rockwall Counties. He was booked into the North Richland Hills Detention Center.
The following day, November 1, Watauga Police executed a search warrant at the same residence. Officers recovered more stolen merchandise, illegal narcotics, a vehicle, and about $5,000 in cash.
Investigators say Love is believed to be connected to at least 23 thefts targeting Target stores in cities including Dallas, Irving, Plano, Fort Worth, Flower Mound, Frisco, Grapevine, Euless, Arlington, Mansfield, Temple, and Harker Heights over the past two months. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at more than $37,000. Authorities also believe he is part of a larger organized retail theft ring operating in Texas and Oklahoma.
“This case highlights the excellent work and collaboration between our officers and regional law enforcement partners,” said Watauga Police Chief James R. Lewis III. “Their swift actions and thorough investigation not only led to the arrest of a serial offender but also to the recovery of stolen property. Retail thefts impact everyone in our community, and we remain committed to protecting both people and property.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are expected as evidence is processed.
