A couple in the US state of Connecticut has been charged with theft worth nearly $1 million Lululemon Garments across the country over a period of two months. Jadion Richards44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, allegedly stole from stores in multiple states, including Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, New York and Connecticut.
Lululemon Athletica is a Canadian-American brand specializing in athletic apparel for workouts, athleisure and travel. According to a New York Post report, the thefts occurred at Lululemon stores between September and November 2024.
The suspected theft ended when Lululemon investigators found significant damage after the pair set off a security alarm while leaving a store in Woodbury, Minnesota.
The couple was arrested on November 14.
Upon his arrest, officers found credit cards, debit cards and a Marriott hotel room key. Inside the hotel room, police found 12 suitcases, three of which contained approximately $50,000 worth of Lululemon products. While Richards claimed racial profiling by store employees, Lululemon investigators alleged the couple had stolen at least 45 items valued at $5,000 from various stores the day before.
The complaint did not specify how a company investigator determined the estimated $1 million total value of the stolen goods. The couple allegedly used various tactics to steal the goods, including distracting employees while hiding clothes.
“This result 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,” Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection told NBC News. “We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide problem.”
In addition to the Minnesota incident, the couple is accused of eight thefts in Colorado in October and seven in Utah in early November. Richards and Laws-Richards, both Danbury residents, are charged Organized retail theft.