Counterfeit Nike shoe ring busted

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A tip from a citizen back in April that Nike shoes were being sold below market value at two Austin area stores ends with police busting a counterfeit shoe ring.

The shoes were being sold at two Dollars & Cents stores--one at Hwy 290 and IH-35 and the other on Rogge Lane.

Undercover officers went to the location off Rogge Lane Thursday and bought a pair of Nike shoes, one for $45 and the other for $50 from Russell Harris, 44, a court affidavit states.  Those particular shoes are valued at $160 and $150, police said.

Police said Harris identified himself as part owner of the store and admitted that the shoes were not real Nike shoes.

Officers were joined in the sting by a private investigator who contracts with Nike and other companies to investigate counterfeit merchandise.

According to the affidavit, the contracted investigator did issue a cease and desist order to the owners of both Austin stores in 2009.

Police said they brought the shoes to this private investigator who confirmed they were counterfeit.

Police returned to the store and arrested Harris.  In plain view, police said they saw counterfeit Nike, Gucci, Christian Dior, Coach, Burberry and Louis Vuitton merchandise, the affidavit states.

Police said they found 161 counterfeit items.

The total retail price and loss to the manufacturer is $6,570, police said. 

The price placed on the items by Harris was $1,415, police said.

Harris was arrested and is now facing  felony trademark counterfeiting charges.