Additional Coverage:
- Couple accused store workers of racial profiling as they stole $1 million worth of Lululemon merch, cops say (newsbreak.com)
A Connecticut couple, Jadion Richards and Akwele Lawes-Richards, have been arrested for allegedly stealing over $1 million worth of merchandise from Lululemon stores across the country.
Their spree began in September, targeting stores in Utah, Colorado, New York, and Connecticut. They were finally caught in Minnesota on November 14 after a detector triggered at a store exit.
Despite Richards’ accusations of racial profiling, the couple was allowed to leave. They were later arrested in a nearby suburb.
Investigators claim the couple used various tactics to distract employees, including one person diverting attention while the other concealed stolen items. They would also exit stores at different times, with one person carrying cheap products to trigger alarms while the other escaped with the more expensive items.
The couple faces charges of organized retail theft. Over $50,000 worth of stolen Lululemon clothing was found in their hotel room, along with multiple credit and debit cards. They are currently being held in Minnesota and are scheduled to appear in court on December 16.