New York City Lululemon and Alo stores have been the target of a coordinated theft ring over the past several weeks, resulting in over $56,000 worth of stolen merchandise, according to the NYPD. The thefts, occurring in both Manhattan and Brooklyn, have prompted a police investigation and the release of surveillance photos in an effort to identify the suspects.
The most recent incident occurred on March 3rd at a Lululemon location on North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where three individuals allegedly walked out with approximately $21,000 in clothing. This latest theft follows a pattern of grand larcenies targeting the popular athletic wear retailers. The ongoing investigation highlights a concerning trend of organized retail crime in the city, though overall retail theft is reportedly down.
Timeline of Thefts
The string of robberies began on February 7th, with a Lululemon store on Fifth Avenue near West 17th Street being hit four times within a 15-day period – on February 7th, 12th, 20th and 22nd. On February 18th, the same three men are alleged to have stolen from an Alo store in Williamsburg. Further incidents were reported on February 21st at a Lululemon in Downtown Brooklyn, and on February 24th at the same Williamsburg Lululemon location targeted on March 3rd.
Authorities say the thieves typically enter the stores, remove clothing from display cases, and then casually leave with the stolen items. The total value of merchandise stolen across the eight targeted stores – seven Lululemon locations and one Alo store – exceeds $56,000, according to police reports. FOX 5 New York reports that the suspects are described as wearing black hooded sweatshirts in surveillance footage.
Brooklyn Heavily Impacted
Four of the eight thefts occurred in Brooklyn between February 18th and March 7th, specifically at locations in Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn. The March 3rd incident at the North 6th Street Lululemon saw the suspects making off with $21,000 worth of merchandise. News 12 Brooklyn provides further details on the Brooklyn-based thefts.
Despite this recent surge in targeted thefts, the NYPD reports that citywide retail theft is actually down more than 20% year-to-date, according to the latest statistics. This suggests the current situation may be an isolated incident of organized crime rather than a broader trend.
Police are actively seeking information regarding these incidents and have asked anyone with knowledge of the thefts to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the full extent of the theft ring and bring the suspects to justice. The focus remains on identifying and apprehending the individuals responsible for these crimes and preventing further incidents at Lululemon and Alo stores across New York City.
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