2 charged with selling knock-offs, hazardous children's gifts at flea market

CARNEGIE, Pa. — Police have charged two people with selling and possessing merchandise with counterfeit trademarks after an investigation that began with a report of bootleg movie DVDs at a Pittsburgh-area flea market.

Collier Township police found the bogus DVDs at a booth at Trader Jacks Flea Market on Sunday -- but they also found that two people in a nearby booth that was selling counterfeit perfumes had left.

Police seized those items along with counterfeit Disney toys, and knock-off jerseys of National Football League and Major League Baseball teams made in Asia, along with two vehicles and $1,500 in cash.

Liangle Sun and Zhongming Dai were later arrested and face Dec. 17 preliminary hearings on felony trademark counterfeiting charges.

Police said they confiscated other items, including counterfeit pillows that detectives said could burst into flames, from one of the suspect's residence on Lynda Drive in North Versailles.

“This whole pillow would go up in smoke. I just put a little bit of light to this as you can see its very toxic,” Collier Township Police Officer Franz Zygmuntowicz said.

According to Collier Township police, detectives seized $500,000 worth of counterfeit goods stored in the suspect's flea market booth and in their trucks and homes.

“They’re just not concerned with safety especially when it’s for children,” Collier Township Police Officer Rich Lamb said.

Authorities said anyone who may have purchased one of the hazardous pillows at the flea market should throw it out immediately.

The suspects remain in the Allegheny County Jail.

WPXI