Private Investigator Catches Sunglass Counterfeitter

A 35-year-old Davenport man was arrested Tuesday after being accused of selling counterfeit sunglasses.

Kenneth Jason Watkins, of 2617 W. 49th St., is charged with one count of second-degree intellectual property counterfeiting.

According to the arrest affidavit, Watkins had been advertising on a Web site that he was selling Oakley “M” Frame sunglasses for $25. The “M” Frame sunglasses are a registered trademark product for Oakley.

A private investigator allegedly met Watkins on Aug. 24 and bought a pair of the sunglasses for $20.

The private investigator then sent the sunglasses to an employee of Oakley, who filed an affidavit Aug. 28 in which he said the sunglasses Watkins was selling were counterfeits of “M” Frame sunglasses that normally sell for $165.

PIs Catch Counterfeitters

Four men were arrested on charges that they sold counterfeit merchandise at Traders World.

Police were contacted by a pair of private investigators Saturday who have contracts with various trademark holders, such as Nike, Coach, and Tiffany & Co.

The investigators purchased a $60 watch advertised by a Traders World vendor as a Rolex, which they later determined was phony, and police on Saturday arrested vendors Mamadou Abderrahmane and Abou Morou Keita.

Recent PI Raids on Counterfeiters Raise Concerns About Fakes

In bright orange letters, the sign in the window says "Yes We're Open."

But take a look at the black gate and lock that stretches across the front of Shoes N More at 2903 W. Western Ave., and you'll see a different story.

Fake Pradas and Guccis to be Burned

Lee County sheriff's investigators confiscated 55 garbage bags full of fake purses, wallets, belts and jewelry - more than $1 Million worth in all. An expensive price tag, but if the products had been real, that would've been the going price. One problem though, the Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Rolex, Coach, Kate Spade, Oakley and Ray Ban's were all counterfeit.

We spoke with a private investigator working the case. He says one of the trademark companies was tipped off about the illegal activity in Southwest Florida. During a six week investigation, he was able to determine the items sold at Lee's Watches and Handbags were fake. The private investigator then contacted the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Clothing Store Caught Faking It

The clothing sold at Get Fitted Phase III, 1232 Lathrop Ave. in Racine, is not apparently what it seemed.

Racine police, with the aid of a private investigator, raided the business in June after a two-month investigation revealed the store trafficked in counterfeit apparel and accessories.

If convicted on one count of trafficking in counterfeit marks (goods), owner Carey Collins, Racine, faces $10,000 in fines and up to six years in prison.