SWEETWATER, Fla. — A man was arrested Friday afternoon after Sweetwater police officers said they witnessed a suspected counterfeit goods transaction in Dolphin Mall’s parking lot.

Police said the incident began shortly after 2 p.m., when plainclothes officers noticed three men who appeared to be loitering in the parking lot.

When the officers passed through the area again, they reported seeing a transaction between a seller and two customers.

Sweetwater police arrest man, seize more than 100 suspected counterfeit items in Dolphin Mall

Officers approached and arrested Luis Enrique Merchan-Meron. According to police, more than 100 items were recovered from Merchan-Meron’s pickup truck.

“You have to have a permit to sell anywhere in this county and our city — and this parking lot certainly is not it,” Assistant Police Chief Frank Fernandez said. “Anyone selling in this lot, you’re in violation. Number two, the manner in which he was selling, you could tell it was criminal activity.”

Merchan-Meron, 24, was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Friday.

He is expected to face at least two felony charges related to counterfeit merchandise, and additional charges may be added as the investigation continues.

Sweetwater police arrest man, seize more than 100 suspected counterfeit items in Dolphin Mall parking lot

About The Author

Magdala Louissaint