Connecticut Couple Accused of Stealing $1 Million Worth of Lululemon Products Across 5 States

A Connecticut couple, Jadion Richards and Akwele Lawes-Richards, have recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The duo stands accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme to steal a staggering $1 million worth of merchandise from Lululemon stores across five different states.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the couple's alleged crime spree came to an end when they were apprehended in Woodbury, Minnesota. Jadion and Akwele were charged with one felony count of organized retail theft, accused of engaging in a patterned retail theft operation and directing others to commit similar crimes.

Their illicit activities reportedly began in September and escalated to a brazen theft of $5,000 worth of products from a Lululemon store in Roseville, Minnesota. Following their arrest, a search of their hotel room in Bloomington uncovered suitcases filled with a staggering $50,000 worth of Lululemon merchandise.

But the couple's criminal endeavors were not limited to Minnesota. Court documents reveal that Richards and Lawes-Richards also targeted Lululemon stores in Connecticut, New York, Colorado, and Utah. Their modus operandi involved employing specific organized retail crime tactics, such as using distractions to facilitate large-scale thefts.

Jadion would typically enter the store first, making a small purchase to blend in with regular customers. He would then rendezvous with Akwele, who allegedly removed security sensors from items they intended to steal. The couple, often accompanied by an unidentified woman, would then proceed to select and conceal items without any regard for size, price, or color.

During their heists, the trio utilized various techniques to evade detection, including using large jackets to block store associates and customers from witnessing their illicit activities. In instances where security alarms were triggered, Jadion would relinquish his bag with purchased items, while the others continued to walk away with the stolen goods.

Moreover, the group reportedly engaged in unverified exchanges at different stores, swapping stolen items without receipts for new merchandise. This cycle of theft and exchange spanned several weeks and multiple states, resulting in the accumulation of hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen goods.

In response to these criminal activities, Tristen Shields, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, emphasized the company's commitment to maintaining a safe and secure shopping environment for both employees and customers. Shields highlighted the collaboration with law enforcement and investments in technology and training to combat retail crime effectively.

Following their arrests, Jadion was released on $100,000 bail, while Akwele secured her release on $30,000 bail. The couple is scheduled to appear in Ramsey County Court on December 16, although it remains unclear whether they have legal representation to address the charges brought against them.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of the Connecticut couple accused of orchestrating a million-dollar theft spree serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against organized retail crime and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding retail establishments against such illicit activities.