SWEETWATER, FLA. (WSVN) - Sweetwater Police officials say they’ve made an arrest of someone selling counterfeit luxury goods in the parking lot of Dolphin Mall.
According to police, they spotted 24-year-old Luis Enrique Merchan-Meron on Friday afternoon selling the fake good to two buyers.
“What they observed was what appeared to be a consistent transaction that were consistent with counterfeit sales,” said Sweetwater Assistant Police Chief Francisco Fernandez.
Following the transaction, the officer conducted a traffic stop on the suspect’s car and made the arrest.
The 24-year-old told officers that he gets the items from an overseas buyers, knows its fake and resells the items to earn some money.
A search of his vehicle found Merchan-Meron being in possession of over 90 counterfeit items.
7Skyforce hovered over the unit, capturing tons of counterfeit items laid out on a table, including Louis Vuitton bags, Saint Laurent bags, and dozens of Rolex watches.
“We do not have any tolerance for any of these kind of crimes committed in the City of Sweetwater. This is the result of our commitment not only to the citizens of Sweetwater but the citizens who come to buy their stuff at our mall,” said Sweetwater Mayor Jose “Pepe” Diaz.
Police have set up a mobile command unit at the shopping mall as the holiday frenzy is underway.
“It’s a proactive unit that investigates, targets and disrupts criminal activity in progress and organized crime,” said Fernandez.
Officials say it’s too early in the investigation to determine if the buyers will face any criminal charges.
But Merchan-Meron is facing two charges of counterfeiting goods, one of which is a felony.
On Friday night, he posted bond.
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