Undercover detectives raided a shoe store Tuesday morning where counterfeit footwear, clothing and purses were being sold, including Nike sneaker knock-offs, the St. Petersburg Police Department said.
A search warrant was served at Shoe Fashion, 3711 Fifth Ave. N., and counterfeit goods were seized, including more than 780 pairs of shoes, investigators said.
The owner of the store, Alam Shikdar, wasn't present, and no one has been charged.
Investigators launched an undercover operation after receiving an anonymous tip that counterfeit goods were being sold at the business.
Investigators discovered a bevy of counterfeit merchandise, including Nike shoes, Coach purses, Lacoste clothing, Ed Hardy clothing and Coogi clothing. Police said the merchandise, which was likely produced outside the country, was made to look like the authentic product but was being sold for far less.
For instance, a pair of Nike Jordan sneakers sells for $125, a pair of Nike Air Max for $100, and a pair of Nike Air Force 1 for $80, police said. But at Shoe Fashion, each pair cost $20, and a customer could get three pairs for $50.
Selling forgery is a second-degree felony, police said.
"This type of crime a lot of people tend to look at as a victimless crime," said police spokesman Mike Puetz. "To buy a pair of knockoff sunglasses, a lot of people don't think of the ramifications of that."
"We want to send a message out to all the individuals out there that might be inclined to think of this as a way to make a profit not to do this type of thing," Puetz said. "Go through a legitimate manufacturer for their product."
Investigators pored over the merchandise at Shoe Fashion and took what fell within the parameters of the search warrant. They left what didn't.
Investigators collected well over $100,000 worth of merchandise, police said.
One pair of Prada jeans had a sticker price of $975, and a Louis Vuitton shirt had a sticker price of $420.
Police said the store would not be shut down and would be allowed to sell what wasn't confiscated.
