Boxed LEGO Sets At Center Of Arlington Retail Fraud Case, 3 Charged

ARLINGTON, VA — Boxed LEGO sets, including prominent Star Wars and Disney Castle models, were tied to an Arlington retail fraud investigation that led to felony charges against three Falls Church residents, according to police and court records.

Arlington County police said officers were dispatched shortly before 1 p.m. on May 19 to the 900 block of Army Navy Drive for a late report of a larceny.

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Police said the investigation began after a male suspect reportedly purchased merchandise April 24 at a store in the 6100 block of Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church, then fraudulently returned the item April 27 at a different store in the 900 block of Army Navy Drive.

An image associated with the case shows a collection of boxed LEGO sets, including prominent Star Wars and Disney Castle models.

Police said the returned merchandise could not be resold because of property damage and missing items.

The discovery led police to investigate similar incidents in surrounding areas. Investigators determined that three suspects allegedly committed at least 29 related theft and fraud incidents across Arlington County and neighboring jurisdictions, police said.

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After the weeks-long investigation, police said the suspects were located and taken into custody.

Alvaro Adrian Vargas Serrano, 27, of Falls Church, was arrested and charged with two counts of larceny under false pretenses, racketeering and conspiracy to commit larceny, police said. Arlington General District Court records show four felony charges filed against him: racketeering, conspiracy to commit larceny and two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses of $1,000 or more. The court records list offense dates of April 27, 2026, and Jan. 8, 2025.

Maria Asuncion Serrano Herbas, 49, of Falls Church, was arrested and charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit larceny, police said. Court records show both charges filed against her are felonies, with an offense date of April 27, 2026.

Mauro Nicolas Vargas Serrano, 25, of Falls Church, was arrested and charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit larceny and larceny under false pretenses, police said. Court records show three felony charges filed against him: obtaining money by false pretenses of $1,000 or more, racketeering and conspiracy to commit larceny. The court records list an offense date of Jan. 8, 2025.

Court records show all three defendants are scheduled for hearings June 18 in Arlington General District Court.

Additional charges from neighboring jurisdictions are pending, according to police.