A figure caught running across a car park after $8500 in Lego was stolen.

Australian Police are searching for a "distinct" figure caught on CCTV after AU$8500 (NZ$9250) of Lego was stolen from a toy store in Young, NSW on Easter Monday.

An unknown person forced their way into Penson's Toy World, a busy store on the main street of Young, at about 3.30am on April 17, police say.

The thief grabbed thousands of dollars worth of Lego building blocks, including some expensive sets described as "highly collectible". Officers believe the person then drove away with their stolen haul.

On Monday, as police built their case, they released CCTV of a figure seen in a car park near the toy store at the time of the incident.

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NSW Police The figure lingered near a parked car before awkwardly jogging away.



In the footage, the figure - who appears to be wearing a hooded jumper, long pants, white shoes and dark gloves - can be seen awkwardly running away.

The figure stops near the boot of a car, then turns and appears to limp for several metres in the opposite direction, at one point placing their hand on their lower back.

They walk back towards the parked car, then turn once again and stiffly jog from the scene, slowing down to a walk when they are obscured by shadows.

Officers hope the person's distinctive gait will lead someone to piece together who it is and contact police.

The toy store's owners, Brad and Cathy Penson, told the Young Witness that the brazen thief only took big-ticket boxes.

"They just took the large boxes of Lego, the Star Wars, Creations, City and Batman, it's like they already knew what they wanted and they have a ready-made market to sell to," Penson said.

Penson added she didn't think the thief was a child who intended to play with the stolen merchandise.

"The Star Wars Lego are highly collectible, so this isn't the work of kids," Penson said.

Some of the Lego sets stocked by the store range in price from $90 to $400.

Acting Inspector Kristin Marshall from Cootamundra Local Area Command said police believe the person who awkwardly ran across the car park may be able to assist with inquiries into the theft.

"This person has a distinct way of walking and police hope somebody from our community may recognise them," she said.

"In the past public assistance in these matters has greatly assisted Police in solving similar crimes.