Hailey
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) is currently investigating a high-value shoplifting incident at the lululemon store in the Central West End (CWE).
Authorities say a 33-year-old University City woman entered the store multiple times on September 28, 2025 and carried off merchandise worth a total of approximately $9,000.
A judge has since signed an arrest warrant for her.
This incident represents one of the most significant thefts recorded at that location.
The suspect’s repeated entries in a single day and the high dollar amount have triggered a felony-level response. Retailers and law enforcement alike are treating this as a serious case of organized retail crime.
What took place at CWE lululemon
Here is how the events unfolded according to police statements:
- The suspect is alleged to have entered the store three separate times on September 28, 2025, each time removing premium athletic apparel.
- Two of the individual thefts documented reached approximately $1,130 and $6,558.84. The third trip pushed the total near $9,000.
- With repeated trips on the same day, the cumulative loss breached felony thresholds, prompting the judge to issue a formal arrest warrant.
- The store in question is the lululemon location at 26 Maryland Plaza, a key retail corridor in the CWE where similar theft patterns have been observed.
Why this incident is significant
- Rising theft severity: The approximate $9,000 loss is much larger than previous incidents at the same branch, signaling an escalation in theft activity.
- Tactical approach: The suspect’s method — multiple short visits in a day — is consistent with strategies used by organized theft groups to limit detection.
- Impact on local businesses: The store and adjacent retailers have faced increasing pressure as repeated thefts strain security protocols and staff vigilance.
- Legal implications: With a judge issuing an arrest warrant, the case now enters into deeper investigation and prosecution phases.
Quick facts overview
| Key Detail | Latest Update |
|---|---|
| Store location | lululemon, 26 Maryland Plaza, CWE |
| Date of alleged thefts | September 28, 2025 (three separate entries) |
| Estimated total loss | Approximately $9,000 |
| Identified suspect | 33-year-old University City woman |
| Case status | Arrest warrant authorized by a judge |
| Historical context | Prior thefts earlier in 2025 (~$3,200) reported |
Response from retailers and law enforcement
Local businesses in Maryland Plaza have reacted by strengthening loss-prevention measures: enhanced video surveillance, revised staff protocols (including instructions not to confront suspected shoplifters), and closer coordination with police.
Meanwhile, SLMPD has encouraged anyone with information about the suspect or her activity to come forward through their anonymous tip lines.
SLMPD may also investigate whether this theft is linked to broader dual- or multi-store theft operations that have targeted lululemon locations in recent months.
Next steps in the investigation
With the arrest warrant now in place, law enforcement is actively seeking to take the suspect into custody.
Once arrested, she may be formally charged, and the case will progress through court proceedings.
Investigators will also explore whether she acted alone or as part of a network of repeat offenders targeting high-end apparel stores.
The $9,000 shoplifting at CWE’s lululemon marks one of the most serious retail thefts in recent memory for that location.
The suspect’s pattern of entering the store multiple times in one day, combined with the high cumulative loss, pushed this case into felony territory.
With a judge’s arrest warrant now approved, the case is poised to move rapidly through law enforcement and legal channels.
The incident underscores the growing challenge of organized retail crime in high-density urban shopping districts and the need for robust prevention, surveillance, and community engagement to support secure retail environments.