Shoplifter inspires new clothing line from Southern California boutique

(KTLA) – After a Southern California store was targeted by a shoplifter, the owner decided to feature the thief as the star of his latest clothing collection.

On Dec. 28, 2023, surveillance cameras captured the male shoplifter entering Vardagen, located in LA's Venice neighborhood, in broad daylight.

In the footage, the suspect quickly snatches a sweatshirt and another item from a display rack near the store’s entrance before calmly walking away.

Jared Ingold, the shop’s owner, decided to use the crime to his advantage by creating a new clothing collection called "Wanted,” featuring a caricature of the suspect front and center.

“Being a small business owner, we have the theme of entrepreneurship kind of woven throughout the brand, and so it’s just ups and downs and things you deal with,” Ingold said.

Since opening seven years ago, Ingold said his shop has been constantly targeted by shoplifters and smash-and-grab robbers. 

The male suspect who inspired the new collection has not been arrested.

“We looked at the security tapes and we thought it was kind of funny because we couldn’t quite make him out,” Ingold said of the thief.

The distinct cartoon image of the bald, mustachioed thief is now emblazoned on T-shirts, hoodies, shorts, pants and beanies.

Since the collection debuted over the weekend, Ingold said customers are enjoying the unique design and have been eagerly buying the new merchandise.

“We’re not trying to attack anyone. It’s not so much about a singular person because there’s been a lot of people who have stolen from us,” he explained. “It’s more just commentary — an artistic take about what goes on.”

Ingold said he doesn’t plan on pressing charges over the petty theft but said he has spotted the suspect roaming around the Venice area.

“Actually, that was the first time we ever saw him, but we have seen him around more recently as some people recognize him because he’s around on the streets,” Ingold said.