Tuesday’s evening rush on F Street NW came with an extra jolt when a group of thieves swarmed a downtown Lululemon, stripped racks of men’s gear and bolted toward the Metro with backpacks packed full of pricey apparel. Staff were left staring at near-empty shelves and scattered hangers as authorities pegged the loss at about $5,719. Witnesses told police they saw the crew head toward a nearby Metro entrance moments after the hit.
How it unfolded
D.C. police told WJLA that the theft went down around 6:38 p.m., when at least seven males rushed into the store, grabbed men’s apparel and stuffed the haul into backpacks before walking out. The station’s report includes surveillance stills from inside the shop and lists the value of the stolen merchandise at $5,719. Officers said the suspects were last seen entering the Metro at 11th and G streets NW, and the investigation remains active.
Where it happened
The crew hit Lululemon’s F Street store at Lululemon. The downtown storefront sits on a busy retail strip where merchants have been increasingly vocal about quick, coordinated thefts that are often over before officers can get to the block. The raid unfolded during the evening shopping rush, when the sidewalks are typically crowded with commuters and tourists.
A pattern of coordinated thefts
Officials say what happened on F Street fits into a larger pattern of group or “shelf‑sweeping” incidents targeting high-value retailers. The Justice Department has detailed earlier prosecutions tied to a spree of Lululemon burglaries in Northwest. Meanwhile, masked crew ransacks 14th Street shop coverage has tracked similar flash-mob style thefts in downtown corridors. Those cases helped spur tweaks to local statutes aimed at holding alleged organizers and fences responsible, not just the grab-and-go participants caught on camera.
Police ask for tips
Investigators are asking anyone with video or information to contact the Metropolitan Police Department. MPD’s public notices list the tip line at (202) 727-9099 and a TEXT TIP option at 50411. Police say clear surveillance stills from inside the F Street store could be key to identifying the suspects and are urging anyone with footage to share it with detectives rather than trying to intervene themselves. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to reach out to MPD.
