Judge Ups Bail for Ex-Con Who Stole $2 Million in Toys

A DuPage County judge increased the bail for a Florida man on parole for stealing $2 million in Legos after authorities said he recently stole paintbrushes from a Hobby Lobby in Lombard, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The judge ordered the bail for Ignatius Pollara, of Tamarac, Flor., be increased from $125,000 to $200,00, stating that Pollara was a flight risk, according to the article.

Authorities said Pollara attempted to steal paint brushes from a Hobby Lobby in Lombard on July 3.

“It is alleged that while in the Hobby Lobby, Pollara took paintbrushes and hid them in his pants near the small of his back,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in a Thursday press release. “It is further alleged that after doing so, Pollara attempted to leave the store at which time he was apprehended.”

DuPage and Cook County authorities were alerted last week that Pollara was planning a trip to the Chicago area from Florida, according to the news release.

The Chicago Tribune reports DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Fischer told Judge Brian Telander on Monday that “If he’s let go on bond, I think he’ll flee the state of Illinois and go back to committing retail theft like he’s been doing,”

In 2010, Pollara stole $2 million in high-end Legos and other toys from Toys ”R” Us stores across the United States. Pollara would empty out the boxes for for inexpensive toys and then place the more expensive toys inside before checking out, according to CBS News.

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