Jadion Richards (44 years old) and Akwele Lawes-Richards (45 years old) were arrested on November 14 in Minneapolis-St Paul (Minnesota, USA) for the shocking clothing theft on social networks.
The two were charged with organized retail theft, according to a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota, The Guardian reported.
On the day of their arrest, the couple was reportedly stopped by employees after a security alarm went off as they were leaving a Lululemon store in Roseville, Minnesota. According to the complaint, Richards accused the store employee of racially profiling him.
The pair denied any wrongdoing and were eventually allowed to leave. But they were later arrested at another Lululemon store in Woodbury, Minnesota.
The two have been accused of shoplifting at Lululemon stores in multiple states including Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, New York and Connecticut since September, the complaint quotes a Lululemon investigator as saying.
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| Akwele Lawes-Richards and Jadion Richards were charged with organised retail theft. |
According to investigators, the pair allegedly used various methods of theft, including distracting store employees while the other person hid the products in the clothes they were wearing.
Another method is for one person to buy some cheap items, while the other person carries more expensive items with security sensors. When they leave the store at the same time and set off the security alarm, one person stays and presents the receipt for the items purchased, while the other person leaves with the other stolen items.
After the arrest, police obtained a search warrant for the hotel room Richards had booked at the JW Marriott in Bloomington, Minnesota. Upon entering the room, police discovered 12 suitcases, three of which were filled with Lululemon products with their tags still attached. The products were estimated to be worth more than $50,000 , according to the complaint .
In a statement to NBC News following the pair’s arrests, Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection, Tristen Shields, said: “This outcome further underscores our ongoing partnership with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable.”
“We continue to work to address and prevent this issue across the industry,” Shields added.
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| Both often post photos showing off their luxurious lifestyle on social networks. |
The pair are accused of stealing a total of $1 million worth of Lululemon products. If convicted, they could face up to 15 years in prison, a $35,000 fine , or both.
Photos shared by The New York Post show that the couple has influence on social media, often showing off photos of their luxurious lifestyle. Jadion Richards calls himself a “music producer, artist manager, event organizer”.
In late October, this person posted a photo with Akwele Lawes-Richards with the caption: “Always remember to make the best choice and live the life that reflects your true values”.