A thief who stole two expensive Nick Fouquet hats from the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen has come forward, admitting he was drunk during the incident and offering to return one of the hats. The theft, captured on security footage, sparked attention before the perpetrator turned himself in after seeing his image shared online.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2026, a man broke into a display case at the upscale St. Regis Hotel in Aspen and stole two limited-edition Nick Fouquet hats, each valued at approximately $2,000. The display promoted The Snow Lodge, a club within the hotel, featuring hats made for a collaboration with Caviar Kaspia. Security cameras recorded the thief in a black puffer jacket and jeans, casually reaching into the case while on the phone.
The theft was reported by Page Six, which published photos of the perpetrator, drawing widespread attention. Nick Fouquet, the hat designer favored by celebrities like Bob Dylan and Madonna, likened the incident to the ‘Thomas Crown Affair’ but ‘minus the chic choreography.’ The St. Regis filed a police report, with owner Stephane De Baets noting that such crimes in Aspen are typically resolved quickly.
After realizing his photo was circulating online, the thief, an Australian man whose name hasn’t been released, contacted Jayma Cardoso, owner of The Snow Lodge, to confess. He explained that he had been drinking heavily at the hotel bar and was too intoxicated to realize he was committing theft. Expressing remorse, he offered a partial solution to make amends.
The thief proposed returning one stolen hat but admitted giving the other to a woman as a gift. He also offered to pay for the unrecoverable hat and for damages to the display, an artistic installation with a mountain scene. However, this offer faced skepticism, as a source questioned accepting a used hat and emphasized that stolen goods cannot be returned like a store purchase.
Jayma Cardoso responded pragmatically, telling Page Six, ‘I forgive him. But it’s simple: pay for the hats and the damages and we are good. The police have better things to do.’ She added, ‘Nobody has time for this bullsh*t, including me,’ aiming to resolve the matter without legal escalation. The hotel seeks compensation for the hats and damaged display.
In a positive development, Linda Fargo, Bergdorf Goodman’s director of women’s fashion, offered to help redesign the display. Fargo, known for iconic window displays, could assist in restoring the promotional setup. The thief remains cooperative, and the incident is likely to be settled out of court, avoiding prolonged police involvement.
The Aspen hat heist underscores the quirky nature of crime in elite destinations, where luxury items and celebrity culture intersect. While minor, it captured public interest due to the designer involved and the thief’s candid admission. As resolution proceeds, it highlights how impulsive actions in high-end settings can lead to consequences, addressed through communication and restitution.
