A Virginia man was arrested for selling $20,000 worth of fake purses, pocketbooks, watches and sunglasses in Jersey City last week, police said.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
William Manigo, 46, of Danville, Virginia, was charged with trademark counterfeiting after police pulled him over for running a red light and found tons of fake name brand merchandise in his vehicle, according to Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo.
At about 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, Port Authority police were on patrol in Jersey City when they saw a white 2003 Chrysler van with Virginia plates pass through a steady red light at 14 Street and Marin Boulevard so the driver was pulled over, officials said.
On the floor of the van in plain view were several designer pocketbooks and purses, as well as loose designer emblems and two large black plastic bags on the floor of the vehicle, authorities said.
Inside the black bags were numerous other counterfeit pocketbooks, sunglasses, watches and purses and Mingo’s pockets were filled with designer emblems similar to the ones strewn about the floor of the van, police said.
The goods were vouchered and the counterfeit products were being sold with the emblems of Michael Kors, Burberry and Louis Vuitton, officials said.
Furthermore, a computer check showed the suspect has a prior criminal history in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia for various counterfeit property and controlled substance offenses and Manigo was placed under arrest, authorities said.