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Woman Caught Trying To Sell Hundreds Of Counterfeit Purses

NORTH STRABANE (KDKA) -- North Strabane Police say they put Tina Policano out of business after she sold a counterfeit Michael Kors purse to undercover officers in the Sheetz parking lot on Route 19.

"We purchased a replica or fake purse for $80 and went to her house," said officer Gary Scherer.

Police noticed Facebook posts in which Policano was selling large quantities of counterfeit items labeled as replicas of designer products like Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton and Coach.  A customer told KDKA off camera they would see the products on Facebook and make arrangements to meet her in various parking lots. Some were sold as replicas others were not.

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Police and Homeland Security officers got a search warrant and found 320 items worth over $100,000 along with a setup to take pictures of the products at Policano's North Strabane home.

"She said she knew it was wrong , she was doing it to make money and enjoyed doing it," Scherer said.

Authorities say A New York connection was sending her counterfeit products for the last few years.

"They sent packages once or twice a week huge packages of counterfeit merchandise to her residence through ups and she sold them online," Scherer said.

Police are asking anyone who may have purchased one of the products to give them a call.

Policano is facing felony trademark counterfeiting charges.

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