Clothing store caught faking it

Get Fitted Phase III allegedly sold counterfeit merchandise

By Journal Times staff

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 9:54 PM CDT

RACINE — 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.

According to the criminal complaint, private investigator Gary Smith provided Racine police information in April about counterfeit goods potentially being sold at Get Fitted.

Smith works on behalf of trademark brands such as Nike, Louis Vitton and Apple Bottom to identify and certify the authenticity of retail merchandise sold under those names.

On June 13, undercover Racine police agents bought a Louis Vitton handbag, an Apple Bottom sweatshirt and a DVD from the store. After inspection, Smith declared the items to be counterfeit.

Racine police returned to the store on June 22 with a search warrant and removed 628 items. Collins said most of the clothing, with the exception of some tennis shoes, comes from registered vendors. He declined additional comment when investigators asked about sales tax information.

Collins indicated some brand merchandise in the store by clothiers Soho and Akademik was genuine.

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