Galt detective honored for work in fake handbag bust

When undercover investigators went to the Galt flea market last August and bought a few fake designer items, Galt police officers soon moved in and made four arrests.

But that wasn't the end of it, because investigators soon seized so many goods that, had they been legitimate and sold in stores, would have been worth nearly $1 million.

Six months later, Galt Police Detective Sylvia Coelho was recognized Monday with a plaque for her work in coordinating the sting.

"They got a truck and trailer load of merchandise — and we're not talking a pick-up truck, but a semi-truck," Sgt. Craig Walton said Tuesday.

The goods were fake, but it's still a trademark infringement, and selling fake items reduces the value of real ones. Additionally, Walton said, if the market is flooded with fake items, people won't buy real ones.

All told, if the items had been legitimate, they would have totaled $220,000 in jewelry, $360,000 in shoes such as Nikes and $390,000 in handbags such as Prada and Gucci.

Companies hire private investigators, who are trained to recognize fakes, and they try to work with local police. Sometimes they wind up doing their own investigation because they use tactics that don't work well with law enforcement agencies.

But in Galt's case, Walton said, the company called Investigative Consulting worked very well with local officers. Galt police handled the law enforcement end of things and ultimately arrested four people, while Lawndale-based Investigative Consulting identified the fake merchandise.

The company, in turn, honored Coelho for heading up the investigation.

Galt's flea market isn't the only one with fraudulent vendors. Walton said the investigators have worked throughout the Central Valley and believe the money ultimately goes to organized crime units.

Open markets are easy targets, Walton said, because officials can't constantly monitor several hundred vendors.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

AKM wrote on Feb 27, 2008 11:48 PM:

" I wouldn't buy a fake one because it is illegal...that was my whole point. "

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s & W 500 wrote on Feb 27, 2008 4:58 PM:

" I think Detective Coelho deserves recognition. But from a taxpayer's perspective, this seems like a waste of money!

Investigate meth, burglaries, robberies, and identity theft. It would be simplified, because THEY ARE ALL RELATED!
"

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weezer wrote on Feb 27, 2008 3:11 PM:

" Cost of production report:

Materials: $20.00
Labor: $1.50
Royalties for use of brand name: $877.50
Total cost: $899.00
Selling price: $1,500.00
Sense of pride: Priceless

As the saying goes, a sucker is born every minute, who'll pay extra for what... a logo. "

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LodiReaderFromStockton wrote on Feb 27, 2008 11:44 AM:

" Yeah, Coach purse lover, I'm sure you've never bought a purse from a purse party or something of the sort. Again, I see nothing wrong with them. When I see my friends with a large Prada bag, I know them well enought to figure they didn't spend $8000 on it. It's not like people think they are real. "

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AKM wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:28 AM:

" I say bust 'em!! I hate seeing fake brands everywhere. It isn't fair to the companies that make high quality items. If you can't afford a real one, buy a walmart brand...don't steal other peoples logos!

Signed- Coach Purse Lover "

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PAL wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:24 AM:

" This should be something handled by the makers of these items, Gucci, Prada, etc. Their investigators need to identify the sellers then sue them in court.
Why are our taxes being used to help Gucci, Prada, all those over expensive makers of purses, shoes and jewelry prosecute the sellers of fake items.
The tax payers just saved them millions of dollars, how much are they going to reimburse us for prosecuting this flea market seller?
The cops need to work on real issues such as drugs, drunk driving, burglaries, robberies, etc.
"

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Cogito wrote on Feb 27, 2008 9:15 AM:

" If I see a local woman with a Prada bag slung over her shoulder I assume it's a fake. If it were real, I would know that she is a hedonistic narcissist, and I would assume she's a fake. "

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Cogito wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:53 AM:

" Nothing ever happens in Lockeford and Clements. Thats why it's good to live there. "

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WY wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:52 AM:

" sell ... you know what i mean "

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Cogito wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:52 AM:

" LRFS, I couldn't agree more. What a waste of resources. And they want a sales tax increase for more cops. Our new police chief seems a little short in his abilities and priorities. It will be harder to find a fake Prada bag now, but it's still easy to score a bag of meth. "

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WY wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:52 AM:

" Are they gonna hit the flea market and the Farmers markets and bag all the crooks that seel these faux bags. Why do we print Galt news? What about Lockeford and Clements? "

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LodiReaderFromStockton wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:44 AM:

" Yes this is such a big deal. I mean you know if that soccer mom from Galt hadn't of found that $75 Louis Vuitton bag at the flea market she was so going to go to the store and spend $6500 on the real one. What a waste of police resources and money. "

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