A Connecticut couple was arrested in Minnesota earlier this month for an intricate retail theft ring that resulted in Lululemon losing $1 million worth of stolen goods since at least September, a criminal complaint shared.
According to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, 44-year-old Jadion Richards and 45-year-old Nickeisha Lawes-Richards were arrested in Woodbury, Minnesota, on Nov. 14. The couple, from Danbury, Connecticut, were charged with one count each of organized retail theft, a felony, according to a complaint reviewed by NBC News.
A spokesperson for the attorney’s office shared in a statement with CBS News last week that the operation impacted Lululemon stores in multiple states, including Minnesota.
“Because of the outstanding work of the Roseville Police investigators — including their new Retail Crime Unit — as well as other law enforcement agencies, these individuals accused of this massive retail theft operation have been caught,” the spokesperson said in a statement on Nov. 18. “We will do everything in our power to hold these defendants accountable and continue to work with our law enforcement partners and retail merchants to put a stop to retail theft in our community.”
Both Richards and Lawes-Richards have posted their bond as of Sunday. They also agreed to court-ordered conditional release.
Prosecutors have accused the couple of being in charge of the retail theft scheme, which dates back to at least September. Their arrests came a day after they allegedly set off store alarms while trying to leave the Roseville, Minnesota, location for Lululemon, according to documents reviewed by CBS.
The couple were reportedly allowed to leave the store. However, an investigator later told an officer that they were seasoned shoplifters and had allegedly stolen close to $5,000 worth of items that day.
The complaint went on to say that the investigator, who is seasoned in organized retail crime, told an officer they were potentially “responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss to the store across the country.” Later, that number was placed higher, with the possible stolen merchandise totaling up to $1 million.
The authorities have also said that the couple involved others in their shoplifting escapades, with eight thefts being documented with their involvement from Oct. 29, 2024, to Oct. 30, 2024.
“The group worked together using specific organized retail crime tactics such as blocking and distraction of associates to commit large thefts,” the complaint said. “They selected coats and jackets and held them up as if they were looking at them in a manner that blocked the view of staff and other guests while they selected and concealed items. They removed security sensors using a tool of some sort at multiple stores.”
Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection, Tristen Shields, told NBC News in a statement that the company is committed to “creating a safe and secure environment” for those in its stores.
“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,” Shields said. “We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue.”