On Saturday, Oct. 12, detectives with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office executed an undercover operation which led to the seizure of a large quantity counterfeit merchandise being seized at the Webb Road Flea Market.

Shoes, watches, purses, sunglasses and clothing were all part of the seizure which was a joint operation between private trademark investigators and the sheriff’s office. Most of the property was voluntarily surrendered without criminal charges. In total, 10 booths were selling goods confirmed as counterfeit, falsely using brand names including Nike, Coach, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Oakley and other major clothing brands such as Adidas and Puma.

“This is really just a first step in a series of many efforts like this,” said Sheriff Travis Allen. “We’re amping up for the holiday season, making sure our presence is known and working to address a lot of retail crime, particularly in areas where there were a lot of complaints last year.” He said it was also a test run for searching for stolen goods, which can show up at the flea market, as well as plans to increase security in parking lots, protecting cars and people getting in and out of vehicles.

“One of our guys named this project ‘Jingle Bells and Jail Cells,'” Allen said. “But we are trying to get ahead this holiday season to make sure residents can feel safe while they are out shopping, and knowing they are buying legitimate items.”

The Webb Road Flea Market rules on the website specifically state “No counterfeit, pirated, bootleg or stolen goods.” A call to the facility was not answered Thursday afternoon and the voicemail was full.

One arrest was made during the operation. Nicholas Antwan Stevenson, 45, of Richburg, S.C. was charged with resisting arrest and misdemeanor drug possession. Stevenson would not cooperate, refusing to turn property over to deputies and fighting them as they were attempting to detain him. There were no injuries.

Stevenson had 80 pairs of counterfeit Nike shoes for sale along with Ralph Lauren clothing and handbags bearing the Gucci, Prada and YSL name. He was released on a written promise to appear by the magistrates.

Investigators later obtained charges for Stevenson for felony criminal use of a counterfeit trademark, but he had been released and deputies have not yet located him.

In all, Stevenson was attempting to sell almost $21,000 worth of counterfeit goods. The total value of all the goods seized had they been sold was reportedly $613,939.

A warrant remains active for Stevenson’s arrest. Investigators ask anyone with information on Stevenson’s location to contact Crimestoppers at 866-639-5245.