A Connecticut couple suspected of stealing nearly $1 million in merchandise from Lululemon stores across the country was charged with organized retail theft in Ramsey County on Monday.

Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, left, and Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, were charged in Ramsey County District Court on Nov. 18, 2024, with one count each of Organized Retail Theft with a connection to a nationwide organized theft incident spanning several states, including Minnesota. The couple allegedly targeted the Lululemon store at Rosedale Center in Roseville. (Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)

The criminal charge, related to theft at the trendy women’s athletic wear retailer in Roseville, is the first of its kind in Ramsey County since the state Legislature created it in 2023.

Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, and Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, were charged with one count each of Organized Retail Theft with a connection to a nationwide organized theft incident spanning several 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,” said a Ramsey County attorney’s office spokesperson. “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.”

Roseville police determined that at least $24,000 in merchandise was taken from the Lululemon store at Rosedale Center. The pair is suspected of having stolen more than $1 million in merchandise across several states.

Prosecutors asked that each defendant be held on $1 million bail. However, Lawes-Richards was given a $30,000 bail with conditional release that includes weekly check-ins because she has ties to Minnesota, or a $200,000 bail for an unconditional release. Richards was given a $100,000 bail with conditional release of weekly check-ins, or a $600,000 bail for unconditional release.

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