Couple Accused of Stealing $1 Million Worth of Merchandise from Lululemon Stores
Arrest and Charges
A Connecticut couple, Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested at a Lululemon store in Woodbury, Minnesota, on November 14 and charged with organized retail theft. The couple allegedly stole nearly $1 million worth of merchandise from Lululemon stores across the country.
Theft Scheme
According to a complaint filed in Minnesota District Court, the couple and their organized crime group had been stealing from stores since September. The investigator for Lululemon explained that the couple’s scheme involved Richards entering the store first and purchasing a couple of small items. Richards and Lawes-Richards would then remove a security sensor from another item in the store and steal other items, which they would conceal under their clothes and jackets.
How the Scheme Worked
The couple would then walk out of the store ahead of Richards, who would offer his bag containing the small purchased item with a sensor attached to it to staff. The couple would then take the stolen items to another store to exchange them without a receipt.
Seized Items
After their arrest, officers obtained a search warrant for a room Richards had rented at a J.W. Marriott in Bloomington, Minnesota. Suitcases containing an estimated $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing were found in the room.
Court Proceedings
Richards and Lawes-Richards were both booked into the Ramsey County Jail on November 14. Lawes-Richards was released on Tuesday on $30,000 bail, while Richards was released on Thursday on $100,000 bail. Both are obligated to do weekly check-ins as part of their release. Their next court date is scheduled for December 16.
Company Response
Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection, Tristen Shields, said the company is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for staff and shoppers. Shields emphasized the company’s ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and investments in advanced technology, team training, and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime.
Conclusion
The arrest of the Connecticut couple highlights the growing issue of organized retail theft and the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and retailers to combat this crime.
FAQs
Q: How much merchandise did the couple allegedly steal from Lululemon stores?
A: The couple allegedly stole nearly $1 million worth of merchandise from Lululemon stores across the country.
Q: How did the couple’s theft scheme work?
A: The couple would enter a store, purchase a couple of small items, and then steal other items by removing security sensors and concealing them under their clothes and jackets.
Q: What was found in the room Richards had rented at a J.W. Marriott?
A: Suitcases containing an estimated $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing were found in the room.
Q: What is Lululemon’s response to the theft?
A: Lululemon is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for staff and shoppers and is working with law enforcement to combat retail crime.
