A Connecticut couple has been charged with organized retail theft after allegedly stealing around $1 million in merchandise from Lululemon stores across the country. The operation spanned multiple states, including Colorado, Utah, New York, Connecticut, and Minnesota, where authorities apprehended them.
Charges and Bail in Minnesota
Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both residents of Danbury, Connecticut, face felony charges under Minnesota’s organized retail theft law. The pair was released after Richards posted a $100,000 bail bond and Lawes-Richards posted $30,000. They are scheduled to appear in Ramsey County District Court on December 16.
Investigative Findings and Tactics Used
According to the criminal complaints, Lululemon’s investigator had been monitoring the couple’s actions for months. The pair allegedly stole items from stores, exchanged them without receipts for new merchandise, and then returned those items using fraudulent receipts to secure credit card refunds.
In Minnesota, the couple used deceptive tactics to avoid detection. Richards would first purchase inexpensive items to divert staff attention, while Lawes-Richards and others concealed high-value merchandise under their clothing. They reportedly manipulated store security sensors to escape without triggering alarms. When police searched their hotel room in Bloomington, they found more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing.
Retailer’s Commitment to Combating Crime
Lululemon has expressed its gratitude to law enforcement for addressing the theft ring. Tristen Shields, the company’s vice president of asset protection, stated that Lululemon is dedicated to combating organized retail crime through advanced technology, employee training, and investigative measures.
“This outcome underscores our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement…to address and prevent this industrywide issue,” Shields said.
