ICYMI: Couple’s Nationwide Million Dollar Crime Spree Ends With Arrest in Minnesota!
A couple’s nationwide theft spree ends in Minnesota with a dramatic arrest after swiping hundreds of Lululemon items worth nearly $1 million! 🌐 #News #WoodburyMN #Minnesota #Crime
WOODBURY, MN – A couple’s months-long crime spree across the country ended in Minnesota with their arrest in Woodbury for stealing nearly $1 million worth of Lululemon merchandise. Over two months, Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, targeted Lululemon stores in multiple states, swiping hundreds of high-end fitness items. The couple, both from Danbury, Connecticut, committed their thefts across Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, New York, and Connecticut before being captured on November 14.
The Couple’s Crime Spree and Arrest
The investigation began after Lululemon security noticed a significant rise in thefts linked to the couple. Their scheme unraveled when the pair triggered a security alarm in a Minnesota store, which drew attention to their criminal activities. Richards attempted to deflect suspicion by accusing store employees of racial profiling, but surveillance footage and a company investigator’s report painted a different picture. The couple was caught with 45 stolen items valued at approximately $5,000, stolen the previous day from various stores.
Police later found additional evidence at a Marriott hotel where the couple had been staying. Inside their hotel room, officers uncovered 12 suitcases—three of which were packed with Lululemon merchandise valued around $50,000. The company’s investigator estimated that the total value of the stolen products could exceed $1 million, based on the volume and types of items they had taken.
Methods of Theft and Expanding Operations
Richards and Lawes-Richards reportedly used a variety of tactics to steal from the stores. One of their methods included distracting employees while the other concealed the stolen goods under clothing. The couple’s thefts weren’t limited to Minnesota; they also hit stores in Colorado and Utah. In October, they were linked to at least eight thefts in Colorado, and in November, they allegedly stole from several stores in Utah.
Their successful operation was cut short when authorities arrested them in Minnesota. Both individuals were charged with organized retail theft and booked into the Ramsey County Jail. Although each posted bail—Lawes-Richards on Tuesday and Richards on Thursday—they are set to appear in court again on December 16.
Lululemon’s Response and Ongoing Fight Against Retail Crime
Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection emphasized that this arrest highlights the company’s commitment to combating retail theft through technological investment and partnerships with law enforcement.
The company has strengthened its focus on protecting its products from widespread theft and holding offenders accountable. With retail theft on the rise across the nation, Lululemon remains dedicated to protecting its stores and shoppers from similar crimes in the future.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Minnesota | Connecticut
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
Them “Irish” have a gift for larceny.
Hey Bubbacus – This couple is from Connecticut, not Ireland. Thanks so much for reading, hope you have a Merry Christmas! 🙂 – Jack and Kitty