A couple from Connecticut is in big trouble after being accused of stealing around $1 million worth of clothing from Lululemon stores across the country during a two-month spree. Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested on November 14 in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities.
What Happened?
The couple, who are from Danbury, Connecticut, are facing charges of organized retail theft. A Lululemon investigator started looking into their activities and reported them to local authorities in Minnesota. According to court documents, their alleged shoplifting spree dates back to September and includes thefts in states like Utah, Colorado, New York, and Connecticut.
When USA TODAY reached out for a comment, the couple’s lawyers didn’t respond.
Allegations of Racial Profiling
On November 14, the couple was stopped by employees as they left a Lululemon store in Roseville, Minnesota, after a security alarm went off. Richards reportedly claimed the employees were racially profiling him, so they were allowed to leave. However, the company’s investigator later accused them of stealing 45 items worth nearly $5,000 from that same store the day before, along with hitting four other nearby locations for more merchandise.
Later that day, police arrested them at another Lululemon in Woodbury. The couple denied any involvement, with Lawes-Richards reportedly saying they had only been in Minnesota for a day and were staying with her aunt.
What Police Found
Officers found several credit and debit cards on them, along with a key card to a Marriott hotel room. Inside the room, they discovered 12 suitcases—three of which were packed with Lululemon gear, tags still attached, worth over $50,000.
The company investigator believes the couple stole up to $1 million worth of clothing in total, though it’s unclear how that figure was calculated.
How They Allegedly Pulled It Off
The investigator said the pair had a few tricks up their sleeves. Sometimes, one would distract the store staff while the other hid items in their clothes. Other times, one of them would buy something small and inexpensive while the other walked out with pricier stolen items. When the alarm went off, the person with the receipt for the cheap item would stick around, while the other kept walking.
The couple is accused of pulling off multiple thefts in Colorado on October 29 and 30 and in Utah on November 6 and 7.
What’s Next?
The two are currently in jail in Minnesota and are scheduled to appear in court on December 16.
Their alleged heist has left people shaking their heads at how far they went—and how they got caught.
