Police in Pennsylvania are searching for at least two masked individuals following a brazen overnight smash-and-grab raid at a Lululemon store in an affluent suburb of Philadelphia.
The Overnight Raid
According to authorities, the incident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on Tuesday, 7 January 2026, at the Lululemon store in Ardmore. This suburb, home to around 14,000 people, is located just outside Philadelphia. The suspects used a sledgehammer to shatter the glass on the shop's front door to gain entry.
Security footage reviewed by police shows the masked men entering and exiting the premises several times over the course of about five minutes. They were seen grabbing armfuls of merchandise, specifically targeting items like coats, vests, and shirts from the men's section.
A Calculated Getaway
The stolen goods were then loaded into a U-Haul truck, which the suspects used as their getaway vehicle. Police reported the truck was last seen near the intersection of Bryn Mawr Avenue and Woodbine Avenue, just a few miles from the scene of the crime.
Lower Merion Police Superintendent Andy Block noted that the duration of the incident was unusually long for a typical smash-and-grab. "Usually, it is because in a smash-and-grab situation they want to get in and get out before they're identified or anybody's notified on it," Block told CBS Philadelphia.
A Popular Target for Thieves
Superintendent Block explained to WPVI that Lululemon stores are often targeted by criminals due to the high retail value of their products, with many items costing over $100. He suggested the stolen athletic wear was likely destined for the black market. "They're using it on the market, maybe they're exchanging it for drugs, or they're selling it on the black market. It's a highly sought-after item," Block said.
Despite this pattern, Lieutenant Michael Keenan of the Lower Merion Police described the violent break-in as "out of character" for the area. "This is an out of character, out of type incident where we don’t normally see people smashing windows in the middle of the night," Keenan stated to NBC 10 Philadelphia.
This was not the first time this particular store has been hit. In May 2024, thieves stole more than $10,000 worth of merchandise in a similar incident.
Community Reaction and Aftermath
The store managed to open for business later on Tuesday, with a temporary banner covering the damaged door. The burglary rattled local business owners. Gina Picciano, a general manager at a restaurant across the street, told Fox 29 she found the proximity of the crime alarming. "I walked out here with my bartender and we looked, and it’s scary that it’s happening right across the way from us," she said.
The investigation remains ongoing. The Independent has reached out to both the Lower Merion Police Department and Lululemon for further comment.
