The Michigan State Police Fraud Investigation Section, in a successful collaboration with Attorney General Investigators, acted swiftly upon receiving a tip about a crime ring that had been orchestrating several retail thefts from Lululemon stores across Metro Detroit.
Officials say that on Monday afternoon (March 11), detective Troopers and Michigan Attorney General Agents were on high alert, conducting surveillance at a Lululemon store on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit, when they observed several individuals enter the location.
Police say the surveillance team identified the individuals as suspects from prior thefts on which they had received a tip on.
Moments later, officials say the suspects were seen leaving the store carrying a large quantity of clothing.
Five women were arrested, and approximately $13,000 worth of clothing was recovered.
Officials say the group is responsible for other retail frauds totaling over $125,000 of loss to Lululemon.
F/Lt Mike Shaw said “This investigation is on going. While many may think retail fraud as a “lower level” crime, these large scale retail thefts put both the public and store employees in danger as well increasing the price at the register for consumers.”
