Boston Lululemon store hit by shoplifters for second time in a week on Newbury Street
Shoplifters have hit the Lululemon store on Newbury Street in Boston for the second time in a week, getting away with hundreds of dollars' worth of clothing.
It happened just before 5 p.m. on Sunday. Boston Police said two girls went into the store, grabbed pricey merchandise and ran out. Police didn't have a specific amount, but they said several hundred dollars in clothing was stolen this time.
Second shoplifting in a week
Just last week, police released surveillance video showing at least three people running out of the same store, their arms full of clothing. In that incident, police said they got away with $6,140 in clothing.
"On this street, in such a nice store, I would not expect that," said Ashley Hanlon, a shopper in the area. She suggested potential security solutions like adding security at the store's door to check receipts.
"It's just amazing to me people do such things. I'm surprised," shopper Janelle Millet said.
Lululemon release a statement about the thefts on Monday.
"We take retail crime very seriously and continue to work closely with the Boston Police Department as they pursue their investigations," the spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain an active and responsive community partner with a strong record of collaboration on cases that have led to arrests across North America."
The spokesperson said that the company is constantly reviewing safety and security at the stores, including in-store support, team trainings and "advanced technologies that help relay critical information quickly to law enforcement."
"I don't think you're ever going to stop everyone from doing crazy things," said shopper Shelley Koren. "I think at the end of the day, as long as you're protecting the people around you, as long as everyone's safe in the building, that's what matters."
No arrests have been made. Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call 617-343-5619.
Photos of ALO shoplifting suspects
On Monday, the Boston Police Department released photos of a group of five women inside the Alo Yoga store in the Prudential Center on Boylston Street.
The women entered the store around 6:30 p.m. and were confronted by workers who said they knew the group was allegedly repeat shoplifters.
The women then began to cause a disturbance while selecting clothing items, according to police. When store employees confronted the group, one of the women allegedly kicked a worker, and all five ran off.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the two incidents are connected.
Other stores targeted before
In May, the Sunglass Hut shop on Newbury Street was targeted by shoplifters. Police said six people stole more than 40 pairs of sunglasses that were worth more than $20,000.
The owners of Rainbows Pottery Studio, located a few stores down from Lululemon, have also been victims of shoplifting.
"A group of high schoolers had stolen a bunch of pottery. They had thought it was for free. I had an officer respond, and they have pockets full of lip glosses that we had on display," Drew Giampa said.
Just this past summer, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said shoplifting is on the rise in the city. Cox said shoplifting increased by 93% in 2023 compared to 2019.
Cox said police are focused on targeting repeat offenders to crack down on shoplifting. The city is also increasing security in areas like Nubian Square in Roxbury.