A couple has been accused of stealing nearly $1m worth of Lululemon products from its stores across the US.
Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested on 14 November in Minneapolis-St Paul and have each been charged with one count of organized retail theft, according to a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota and reviewed by multiple outlets.
On the day of their arrest, the couple reportedly was stopped by store employees after a security alarm went off as they were leaving a Lululemon store in Roseville, Minnesota. Richards accused the store employees of racially profiling him, according to the complaint.
The couple allegedly denied any wrongdoing and was eventually allowed to leave. They were later arrested at a separate Lululemon store in Woodbury, Minnesota, per the complaint.
The couple has been accused of stealing from Lululemon stores across multiple states including Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, New York and Connecticut since September, the complaint said, citing a Lululemon investigator.
The couple allegedly employed various methods of stealing including distracting store employees while the other person hid the products in the clothes they were wearing, according to the investigator.
Another method involved one of them buying several cheap items while the other carried more expensive items with security sensors attached to them. Upon exiting the stores at the same time and setting off the security alarms, one person would stay behind and show a receipt of the purchased products while the other person would walk on with the other stolen products.
Following their arrest, police obtained a search warrant for a hotel room that Richards booked at a JW Marriott in Bloomington, Minnesota. Upon entering the room, officers discovered 12 suitcases, including three that were filled with Lululemon products that still had the tags attached. The products were estimated to be worth more than $50,000, according to the complaint.
In a statement to NBC following the couple’s arrest, Tristen Shields, Lululemon’s vice-president of asset protection, said: “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,” Shields added.
The couple had reportedly stolen up to $1m worth of Lululemon products in total. If convicted, the couple can face a maximum sentence of up to 15 years, a $35,000 fine or both.
