BayLUG News

Fremont Police contacted BayLUG President Mark Benz whose LEGO creations were stolen recently with good news. A pick-up truck, stolen in January from Fremont’s Niles District and recovered in Castro Valley yesterday, contained a big pile of LEGO. When the truck was returned to its rightful owner, the family found the LEGO in the back and called police. The search for the truck and toy thieves continues based on other evidence found in the truck. If you have any information on either crime, please contact FPD Detective Veteran at 510-790-6800.

Mark is delighted that some of his LEGO was found and returned, saying “It’s great they found much of it, but all of the 8-wide trains, trees and baseplates are still missing. Adding, “I hope they find the rest when they catch the crooks,” Benz said.

About the LEGO creations themselves, he said: ”Some are in fair shape while others are completely wrecked.” Only about two-thirds of the stolen LEGO creations were retrieved, and many reduced to a pile of LEGO “rubble”. Ghirardelli Square and two other models were broken into several large pieces. The Conservatory of Flowers and other model SF landmarks are now only a 50 pound box, about the size of a bar refrigerator, of seemly random LEGO. All of the stolen LEGO trains, along with hundreds of LEGO trees, and other items remain missing.

Nevertheless, he’s excited to soon have some of the LEGO back, and plans to rebuild as many of the famous SF Landmarks as he can in time to display them at the Bricks by the Bay LEGO Fan Convention at the Fremont Marriott, in April. A recovery segment was shown recently on Channel 4 TV, with accompanying article.

Essentially all of Bay Area LEGO Club President Mark Benz’s LEGO creations (MOCs) shown over the holidays at the Museum of American Heritage were stolen last Thursday morning (February 4th, 2010). Taken were about 20,000 parts forming 20 square feet of LEGO models of San Francisco waterfront landmarks: Ghirardelli Square, the new Conservatory of Flowers, Palace of Fine Arts, Maritime Museum and municipal pier, and the USS Pampanito. Also, trains taken: California Zephyr, Whale Car, a red SW1000 diesel locomotive and freight cars, at least 4 small classic town sets: Camera car, speedboat, ultralite and 1 other, about 60 baseplates, and all (500)  trees of all types used to scenic common areas of BayLTC layouts. Total value estimate is $6500.  The minor good news is they didn’t take the Hyde St. Pier.

I’d very much like to thank all the BayLUG members and ALL (not just Adult) Fans of LEGO (AFOLs) who’ve expressed condolences and sent pictures and support concerning this theft.

A $500 Reward is offered. Today, the Fremont Police Department released their report, and request for assistance from the public. Please contact Detective Bill Veteran at (510) 790-6972.

An Argus Newspaper article appeared, and apparently this news has also made the wire services, and may appear on local TV and radio across the country on a slow news day. A story on The Brothers Brick has also been published. Please be on the lookout for sellers offering these models, or collections of parts that may have come from them, on eBay or Craigslist or local garage sales and flea markets.

Pictures of The Stolen Goods:

\(8-wide Zephyr only)

Not shown: SF Conservatory of Flowers

JANUARY
BayLUG Meeting, January 24, at Dave Porter’s in Woodside

FEBRUARY
BayLUG Meeting, February 20, at Johannes’ Church in San Leandro

MARCH
BayLTC at Train Collectors Association Cal Stewart Meet, March 12-14. Public Day March 14, at Santa Clara Convention Center. Admission charge.

APRIL
Bricks By the Bay LEGO Convention, Fremont, April 9-11

MAY
BayLUG Meeting, May 15 at Johannes’ Church in San Leandro
BayLUG and BayLTC participation in the Maker Faire, May 22-23, San Mateo

JUNE
BayLUG Meeting,  June 20 at MoAH in Palo Alto
BayLUG and BayLTC participation in Johannes’ LEGO Show tentatively June 25 through July 25 at his Church in San Leandro. Set up starting on June 20th after 2 PM, and the rest of that week

JULY
BayLUG and BayLTC at MoAH Vintage Vehicles, July 25, Palo Alto, across El Camino from Stanford Mall.

AUGUST
BayLUG Meeting ,August 22 at MoAH in Palo Alto.

SEPTEMBER
BayLUG Meeting, September 18 at Johannes’ Church in San Leandro.
BayLTC participation in GTE Train Show, Date TBA, San Jose.

OCTOBER
BayLUG Anniversary Meeting, October 30 at MoAH in Palo Alto.

NOVEMBER
BayLTC participation in GTE Train Show, Nov 26-28? Pleasanton.

DECEMBER
BayLUG and BayLTC present 8^th Annual “Living LEGO-cy” Holiday Show, at MoAH in Palo Alto.
Set up Dec 3-4.  MoAH Members Party Dec  5.  Show opens to public Friday Dec 10.  Open every Fri, Sat & Sun, except Holidays through Jan 9, 2011.
Show closes 1 week earlier than this year to avoid MLK weekend.

At the January BayLUG meeting at Dave Porter’s house, BayLUG members voted to confirm a new set of bylaws and a new group of officers to serve for the next two years. The new officers are:

• President – Mark Benz
• Vice President – Jim Olson
• Treasurer – Paul Sinasohn
• Secretary – Johannes van Galen
• Quartermaster – Bruce Chamberlain

Bricks by the Bay presents the first-ever LEGO convention for Northern California. Themed “The Brick Artistic,” it is a celebration of the LEGO hobby and the brick as an artistic medium! This isn’t a BayLUG event but BayLUG is a major sponsor and participant. We’ll have a large BayLUG presence there as well as LEGO enthusiasts from all over the United States and perhaps even overseas!

There will be a public exhibition on Sunday, April 11 with a huge hotel ballroom full of LEGO exhibits from all over the country and maybe even overseas! For the serious hobbyist, the convention will run Friday through Sunday, April 9-11.

Location: Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley, 46100 Landing Parkway, Fremont, CA. For more info, see our event details page or visit bricksbythebay.com

BayLUG can now accept credit card payments for membership dues via PayPal.