A couple has been charged of stealing nearly $1 million in Lululemon products from locations across the United States.
Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested on November 14 in Minneapolis-St. Paul and charged with one count of organized retail theft, according to a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota and reviewed by numerous outlets.
On the day of their arrest, the pair was stopped by store staff after a security alarm went off as they were leaving a Lululemon store in Roseville, Minnesota. Richards accused store employees of racially stereotyping him, according to the complaint.
The couple apparently denied any involvement and were eventually let to depart. According to the complaint, they were later arrested at a separate Lululemon store in Woodbury, Minnesota.
According to the lawsuit, the couple has been accused of stealing from Lululemon locations in several states, including Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, New York, and Connecticut, since September.
According to the investigator, the couple allegedly used a variety of theft methods, including distracting store employees while the other person hid the merchandise in their clothing.
Another strategy involved one of them purchasing multiple low-cost products while the other carried more expensive items with security sensors attached. When they exited the stores at the same time and set off the security alarms, one person would stay behind and provide a receipt for the purchased stuff, while the other would walk away with the other stolen items.
Following their arrest, authorities acquired a search warrant for a hotel room booked by Richards at the JW Marriott in Bloomington, Minnesota. When officers entered the room, they located 12 luggage, three of which contained Lululemon merchandise with their tags still attached. The lawsuit stated that the products were believed to be worth more than $50,000.
Following the couple’s arrest, Lululemon’s vice-president of asset protection, Tristen Shields, told NBC, “This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training, and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable.”
“We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue,” according to Shields.
The duo allegedly took up to $1 million worth of Lululemon goods in total. If convicted, the couple could face a maximum 15-year prison, a $35,000 fine, or both.