What started as a YouTuber’s deep dive into a missing Lego Star Wars collection has now exploded into a full-scale legal and police controversy involving arrests, stalking allegations, search warrants, and accusations traded across YouTube and court filings.

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The American Fork Police Department has now issued a lengthy public response after YouTuber Reckless Ben — real name Benjamin Schneider — published videos documenting a series of encounters with officers during his investigation into a disputed $200,000 Lego collection.

The saga has spiralled far beyond collectible toys.

Schneider’s videos – which have racked up millions of views online – showed multiple traffic stops, arrests involving members of his team, and police executing a court-approved search warrant at an Airbnb property where the group had been staying while investigating the case.

What Was Reckless Ben Investigating?

At the centre of the dispute is a massive collection of rare Lego Star Wars sets originally owned by Oregon collector Bryan Mansell and his father Eric. According to reports, the collection included hundreds of sealed sets and rare minifigures, including a Cloud City set reportedly valued at more than $10,000 on its own.

The collection had allegedly been placed on consignment at a Bricks & Minifigs franchise in Salem, Oregon, before the situation descended into chaos following a change in ownership and management at the store.

According to Mansell, the store then denied that the collection ever belonged to him and refused to return any of the sets – leaving him out of pocket and placed in medication for anxiety. He also claims that they threatened him with an expensive and lengthy legal battle that would only put him further out of pocket.

Schneider later became heavily involved in publicising the dispute online, producing investigation-style videos targeting individuals linked to the controversy and attempting to pursue legal action connected to the missing collection.

But while Schneider portrayed the police response as retaliation connected to his investigation, authorities say their involvement stemmed from conduct reported in Utah — not the underlying business dispute in Oregon.

Police Issue Statement, Reckless Ben Responds

In a statement released by Police Chief Cameron Paul, the department said officers responded to repeated complaints made by Joshua Johnson, a Bricks & Minifigs employee connected to the wider controversy.

According to police, via Dexterto, Schneider and others allegedly approached Johnson’s private residence multiple times over several days, photographed the property, delivered packages, and placed signs near the home despite previous warnings from officers.

Court documents reviewed by Dexerto reportedly state Schneider was arrested on allegations of stalking and targeted residential picketing under Utah law.

One affidavit alleged Schneider coordinated repeated contact attempts involving both himself and third parties.

Police also pointed to footage shown in Schneider’s own video where a sign displayed outside the residence read: “I stole a dying man’s life savings.”

Authorities said the incidents gave them probable cause to proceed with arrests and further investigation.

Schneider disputes that version of events and insists his actions were connected to efforts to serve legal paperwork and investigate the disappearance of the Lego collection.

The American Fork Police Department also addressed claims made by Schneider regarding a search warrant executed at the Airbnb property where his group had been staying.

According to court filings, police sought the warrant after the Airbnb owner allegedly overheard conversations referencing “possible stolen Lego toys” inside the rental property.

Officers then requested authorisation to search for “any stolen merchandise, specifically Lego merchandise.”

The warrant was approved on March 11.

However, warrant return records reportedly show no items were seized during the search. The warrant return filed afterwards states: “Benjamin Schneider was arrested. No items seized.”

Schneider’s videos also accused officers of using excessive force during his arrest, including claims that an officer injured his shoulder.

Police rejected those allegations in their public response, stating that body camera footage did not support the claims.

The department also noted that footage appeared to show officers handling Schneider’s right arm during the arrest, while X-ray images later shown online appeared to depict his left shoulder.

Authorities additionally stated that no complaints regarding shoulder pain were recorded during Schneider’s detention, transport, or booking process.

Another major point of controversy involved Schneider’s claims that religious connections influenced how the case was handled.

In his videos, the YouTuber suggested that Johnson’s membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with the religious affiliation of several officers involved, may have contributed to preferential treatment, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.

The department strongly denied any bias or collusion and stated officers acted solely based on complaints received and evidence gathered during the investigation.

Police also confirmed officers contacted the Marion County Circuit Court in Oregon to verify legal paperwork Schneider claimed he was attempting to serve.

According to the department, court officials confirmed the lawsuit was legitimate but also stated the paperwork had already been served and that no hearing had yet been scheduled.

Bricks & Minifigs Issues Statement

Meanwhile, Bricks & Minifigs has also publicly responded as scrutiny surrounding the case continues to grow online.

In a detailed company statement released on June 1 – which can be read in full here – the retailer acknowledged shortcomings in franchise oversight connected to the Salem location but denied allegations of theft.

The company described the original consignment agreement as “unauthorized” and claimed it had not been approved by corporate leadership.

Bricks & Minifigs also accused online activists connected to the case of escalating the situation beyond legitimate criticism, alleging employees – some of them teenagers – across unrelated store locations had faced harassment, threats, and abuse.

The controversy has now become one of the internet’s strangest ongoing legal dramas, combining YouTube investigations, rare collectibles, lawsuits, viral videos, and criminal allegations into a case that continues to unfold publicly across social media and the courts.

Schneider has since uploaded another follow-up video responding directly to the police department’s statement.

In the video, he claimed police bodycam footage released to him had been heavily redacted.

“Some of the best lawyers in the United States are reaching out to me right now,” he said. “The more we drag this out, the more content we get so this only benefits me. It doesn’t benefit you.”

He also stated that a third instalment in his investigation series is still planned.

Featured image credit: YouTube/RecklessBen (Screenshot)