TYLER, Texas — Semetric Danielle Baker, 34, of Burnet, has become the third person arrested in connection with a nationwide Lego theft ring that stole over $400,000 worth of products from Walmart and Target stores across the country.
Baker was booked into the Smith County Jail on Wednesday on charges of engaging in criminal activity and property theft over $300,000. Her arrest follows those of Brian Fleming and Ladarion Anderson, both 33, who were taken into custody in December 2024 for their involvement in the scheme.
According to arrest documents, Fleming and Anderson were the primary instigators of the theft ring. They would first enter stores such as Walmart in cities including Tyler, Longview, and Gun Barrel City, and purchase inexpensive items, often costing under $1, using their credit or debit cards. Once they left, a co-conspirator, such as Baker, would enter the store, pick up the same Lego items, and exit the store without paying.
If confronted by employees, the co-conspirator would show an altered receipt with the prices changed and items renamed to match the Lego inventory, according to an arrest affidavit. Investigators have found that the ring was responsible for the theft of over $200,000 from Walmart locations alone, with the combined thefts at both Walmart and Target totaling more than $400,000.
This ongoing investigation has revealed that multiple states, including Florida and Oklahoma, were impacted by the ring’s activities. Authorities continue to search for additional individuals involved in the theft scheme.
