### Connecticut Couple Accused of $1 Million Lululemon Theft Scheme

A couple from Danbury, Connecticut, is facing serious charges for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated theft scheme targeting Lululemon, a popular apparel company. The operation is believed to have resulted in the theft of up to $1 million worth of merchandise, according to a criminal complaint.

Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, were apprehended on November 14 in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The couple has been charged with one count each of organized retail theft, a felony, according to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.

The alleged theft spree affected Lululemon stores across multiple states, including Minnesota. A spokesperson for the attorney's office credited the arrests to the diligent efforts of Roseville Police investigators and their newly established Retail Crime Unit, which collaborated closely with other law enforcement agencies.

"Thanks to the outstanding work of the Roseville Police investigators, these individuals accused of this massive retail theft operation have been caught," the spokesperson said in a statement on November 18. "We will do everything in our power to hold these defendants accountable and to curtail retail theft in our community."

Both Richards and Lawes-Richards managed to post bond by Sunday and agreed to adhere to the conditions of a court-ordered conditional release. The court set bail for Richards at $100,000 with conditional release requirements, including weekly check-ins. Alternatively, he could be released unconditionally on a $600,000 bond. Lawes-Richards' bail was set at $30,000 with similar conditional release terms or $200,000 for unconditional release. They are expected to reappear in court on December 16.

Prosecutors initially requested a $1 million bond for each individual, according to the attorney's office. Authorities allege that Richards and Lawes-Richards orchestrated a complex retail theft scheme that dates back to at least September.

The couple's arrest came a day after they allegedly triggered store alarms while exiting a Lululemon in Roseville, Minnesota. An organized retail crime investigator, identified in the complaint as R.P., recognized them and subsequently informed responding officers about the couple's history of shoplifting.

The criminal complaint indicates that Richards and Lawes-Richards stole about $5,000 worth of merchandise in that single incident and could be responsible for significant losses to Lululemon stores nationwide. An investigator for Lululemon estimated the value of the stolen items to be as much as $1 million.

Authorities believe that the couple was not acting alone and had enlisted the help of other unnamed individuals. By employing tactics such as distracting store employees and executing fraudulent returns at different locations, they managed to successfully carry out the thefts.

The complaint further explained that between October 29 and October 30, 2024, Richards, Lawes-Richards, and an unidentified woman were documented in eight theft incidents in Colorado. The group used organized retail crime tactics, including blocking the view of store employees while concealing items and removing security sensors with a tool.

CBS News has reached out to Lululemon for comment but has not received a response.