Police have announced the arrests of six suspects, all out-of-state residents, who were allegedly caught stealing thousands of products from Lululemon in Lake Forest in separate incidents.
The Lake Forest Police Department said Tuesday evening that it has apprehended suspects in two separate theft incidents at Lululemon, 680 North Western Avenue, over the past few days.
Police received a call from Lululemon around 12 p.m. Saturday for a report of two people in the store attempting to steal clothing items.
Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke said both subjects exited the store with merchandise, noticed an officer and went back into the store.
The suspects, Heaven Hutchinson, 25, of Pensacola, Florida, and Kylinda Jackson, 24, of Atlanta, Georgia, were quickly detained by officers pending further investigation.
It was determined Hutchinson and Jackson had attempted to steal over $1,500 in clothing items, Burke said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office was notified and both suspects were charged and released with court dates.
Around 3 p.m. Monday, Lululemon notified police about two females and two males who were in the store placing merchandise into one of the women’s skirts while the three others attempted to block the employees’ view, Burke said.
Officers responded and arrested Romero Velcu, 18, of Gywnn Oak, Maryland; Crina Dunca, 32, of Orlando, Florida; Stefan Florinel, 26, of Tampa, Florida; and Rebecca Velcu, 26, of Gywnn Oak, Maryland.
Officers recovered $4,968 in merchandise. All four suspects were charged with felony retail theft.
Two of them were additionally charged with obstructing, one of them had an active warrant and another was found in possession of a theft detection device remover.
Burke said the investigation revealed the four suspects arrived in a blue 2006 Toyota Sienna.
The vehicle was towed to the Lake Forest Police Department and secured pending a search warrant.
“I’m grateful for the dedication and professionalism of our officers in swiftly apprehending the suspects in these retail thefts,” Burke said.
“These actions reflect our department’s commitment to keeping Lake Forest safe,” the police chief added.
The Lake Forest Police Department said they will continue to collaborate and promote crime prevention techniques with local businesses to “deter further instances of retail theft.”
The Lululemon store in Lake Forest has been the victim of numerous retail theft incidents. In July, police said they arrested three retail theft suspects after the store had been raided on six different occasions in three months.