Philadelphia CBP Seizes $130,000 in Counterfeit Designer Handbags from Hong Kong

December, 2019

PHILADELPHIA

– Looks like there will be a few less ladies designer brand handbags under the Christmas tree this year.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized a shipment of 37 counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbags Thursday that arrived in Philadelphia from Hong Kong. If authentic, the handbags would have had a manufacturer suggested retail price of $130,610. They were destined to an address in Logan Township, N.J.

Counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbags

The shipment of three boxes initially arrived November 25 manifested as “Lady Bag Sample.” CBP officers suspected the shipment to be counterfeit and detained it.

CBP officers worked with CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising

Centers for Excellence and Expertise

, the agency’s trade experts and verified through the trademark holder that the products were counterfeit.

“Customs and Border Protection officers encounter a wide variety of counterfeit consumer goods, like these trademark-infringing handbags, and we continue to work with our trade and consumer safety partners to identify and seize counterfeit products when we encounter them,” said Casey Durst, Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Baltimore Field Office. “CBP urges consumers to protect themselves and their families by purchasing authentic consumer goods from reputable vendors.”

CBP protects businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement program

. Importation of counterfeit merchandise can cause significant revenue loss, damage the U.S. economy, and threaten the health and safety of the American people.

On a typical day in 2018, CBP officers seized $3.7 million worth of products with IPR violations. Learn more about what CBP did during \”

A Typical Day

\” in 2018.

In fiscal year (FY) 2018, the number of IPR seizures decreased by 333 seizures to 33,810 from 34,143 in FY 2017. The total estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the seized goods, had they been genuine, increased to nearly $1.4 billion from over $1.2 billion in FY 2017. Read more

2018 IPR Enforcement Statistics

As a result of CBP enforcement efforts, ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested 381 individuals, obtained 296 indictments, and received 260 convictions related to intellectual property crimes in 2018.

CBP\’s

border security mission

is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. Please visit

CBP Ports of Entry

to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.

Learn more about CBP at

CBP.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation\’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Hard Rock Hotel Casino 2019-20 Entertainment Schedule

2019 – 2020 ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

12/16 & 12/17 – Craig Gass & Joe Fernandez – Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club

12/27 & 12/28 – Jim Breuer – Sound Waves

12/28 – Earth Wind & Fire – Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

12/29 & 12/30 – Human Nature – Sound Waves

12/31 – Kool & The Gang / K.C. & The Sunshine Band New Year’s Eve Party – Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

1/6 – 1/9 – Chris Franjola & Richie Holliday – Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club

1/11 – Top Rank Boxing: Hart Vs Smith – Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

1/13 – 1/14 & 1/16 – Tom Cotter & Kerri Louise – Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club

1/18 – Sounds of Philadelphia featuring Russell Thompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes and The Manhattans – Sound Waves

1/20 – 1/23 – Keifer Thompson & Dale Jones – Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club

1/25 – Marc Anthony

Opus Tour

– Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

1/29 & 1/30 – JF Harris & Greg Warren – Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club

2/3 – 2/6 – Lynne Koplitz & Jeff Shaw – Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club

2/7 – Sugar Ray – Sound Waves

2/8 – Demetri Martin “Wandering Mind Tour” – Sound Waves

2/10 – 2/13- Jessica Kirson – Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club

2/15 – Fitz & The Tantrums – Sound Waves

2/22 – Eros Ramazzotti – Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

2/22 – Bob Saget – Sound Waves

2/24 – 2/27 – Greg Morton & Ben Moore – Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club

3/14 – Adam Sandler – Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

3/14 – Jay Mohr – Sound Waves

4/17 – Ana Gabriel – Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

5/1 – Zucchero – Sound Waves

6/6 –

Bad Company –

Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

For Tickets, visit

hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com

Delaware Fish & Wildlife Police Blotter: Dec. 2-8

Reminder for the week: Waterfowl hunters, check your gear

for prohibited lead shot, ensure your boats are weather and safety ready

DOVER (Dec. 13, 2019) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 2-8 made 2,239 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 12 citations. Officers responded to 44 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

On Dec. 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed their role and reviewed safe hunting practices, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field with attendees of a Hunter Education Class held at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

On Dec. 11-12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and Wildlife Section staff responded to reports of black bear sightings in and near Wilmington, and worked with multiple agencies with the intent of capturing and relocating the bear. The bear evaded capture and appears to have left Delaware as there have been no recent documented sightings.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation:

Possession of unlawfully taken game – antlerless deer (1), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (1), failure to tag antlerless deer (1), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), and trespass to hunt (1).

Fisheries Conservation:

Commercial:

Failure to tag oysters (1).

Public Safety:

Possession, purchase, ownership, or control of a firearm, deadly weapon, or ammunition by a person prohibited (3) and failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (1).

Other:

Driving with a suspended or revoked license (1) and driving at an unreasonable speed (1).

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to

http://de.gov/ogt

, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

With the last 2019 regular waterfowl hunting season split opening today, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind waterfowl hunters to continue to check their hunting gear bags, coats, boats, and any other gear to make sure they are not carrying lead shot.

Non-toxic shot, as approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is required for all waterfowl hunting within the State of Delaware. There are no exceptions. For a list of currently approved non-toxic shot types visit

http://flyways.us/faq/what-type-shot-approved-non-toxic-us

Also, if you are waterfowl hunting from a boat, please ensure that you have all the required safety equipment and cold weather equipment and supplies on board.

For more information on waterfowl hunting and boating safety requirements in Delaware, click on

2019-2020 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide

Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package: Key To Fun In Philly This Holiday Season

Winter-Only Package Includes Free Hotel Parking & A Free Philadelphia Sightseeing Pass™ For Two

Want visiting friends and relatives to enjoy a comfortable, relaxing, enjoyable holiday season in Philadelphia? Encourage them to book the

Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package,

a perks-packed deal that enables visitors to choose their own city adventure thanks to the inclusion of two free Philadelphia Sightseeing Passes — a first-time package perk. The hotel offer is available December 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020.

“The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package wraps the city up into one big gift and gives visiting friends and relatives a relaxing place to stay, as well as tickets for the Philadelphia activities that most appeal to them,” said Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO, VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “We wanted to give guests the freedom to choose, so we added the Philadelphia Sightseeing Pass into the package. This is a first-of-its-kind partnership for the tour company, which operates in 15 cities globally, and we’re glad to give package buyers the ability to select tickets for two attractions from a list of more than 30 options.”

The package includes:

Free hotel parking

, up to a $100 value for a two-night stay at a Center City hotel

Two free

Philadelphia Sightseeing Passes

, each valid for general admission tickets for two attractions (a $90 value)

Two free tickets for admission to and ice skate rental at

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

(a $28 value)

$25 restaurant card for

Garces Group Philadelphia restaurants

(Amada, Distrito, JG Domestic, The Olde Bar, Tinto, Village Whiskey, Volvér)

$10

Lyft credit

for new and existing customers

Well known for its overnight hotel parking, the package (valued at up to $253) is available at 44 hotels for one- or two-night stays. Visitors can book the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package or see redemption details anytime at

visitphilly.com/overnight

. At hotel check-in, guests will also receive redemption details for all perks.

Philadelphia Sightseeing Passes

Upon check-in, guests receive two Philadelphia Sightseeing flex passes. Each pass is good for use at two select Philadelphia attractions or tours (see list below). Each pass automatically activates at the first attraction visited. Passes must be redeemed at the ticket booth of the selected attraction. Passes expire March 2, 2020. More info at

sightseeingpass.com/en/philadelphia/attractions

76 Carriage Company – Franklin Footsteps Walking Tour,

phillytour.com

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University,

ansp.org

Adventure Aquarium (Camden, NJ),

adventureaquarium.com

African American Museum in Philadelphia,

aampmuseum.org

Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial,

battleshipnewjerseyorg

Betsy Ross House,

historicphiladelphia.org

Campo’s Combo: cheesesteak, beverage, chips and bite-sized dessert,

camposdeli.com

City Hall Tower Tour,

phlvisitorcenter.com/CityHallTowerTour

The Constitutional

Walking Tour,

theconstitutional.com

Eastern State Penitentiary,

easternstate.org

Franklin’s Grave and Christ Church Burial Ground,

christchurchphila.org

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia Candlelight Walking Tour,

ghosttour.com

Grim Philly Twilight Tours – Vampires, Sex & Ghost Tour,

grimphilly.com

Grim Philly Twilight Tours – Witches and Ghosts,

grimphilly.com

Independence Seaport Museum,

phillyseaport.org

Independence Tour – Walking Tour,

bowtietours.com

Museum of the American Revolution,

amrevmuseum.org

National Constitution Center,

constitutioncenter.org

National Liberty Museum,

libertymuseum.org

National Museum of American Jewish History,

nmajh.org

One Liberty Observation Deck,

phillyfromthetop.com

Penn Museum,

penn.museum

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA),

pafa.org

Philadelphia Museum of Art,

philamuseum.org

Philadelphia Sightseeing Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour,

philadelphiasightseeingtours.com

Philly Tour Hub – Center City Holiday Tour,

phillytourhub.com

Philly Tour Hub – History in HD Walking Tour,

phillytourhub.com

Philly Tour Hub – Italian Market Immersion Walking Tour,

phillytourhub.com

Scavenger Hunts – Philadelphia,

sightseeingpass.com/en/philadelphia/attractions

Spirits of ’76 Ghost Tour,

spiritsof76.com

The Franklin Institute,

fi.edu

The Mütter Museum,

muttermuseum.org

Wharton Esherick Museum (Malvern, PA),

whartonesherickmuseum.org

VISIT PHILADELPHIA

is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog,

visitphilly.com

and

uwishunu.com

, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

Claire Gustafson Says Norcross Is The One Who Needs To Apologize Not Jeff Van Drew

Where are the thousands of jobs Norcross promised the Economic Opportunity Act would bring to our region?

COLLINGSWOOD – Republican candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s first congressional district, Claire Gustafson, took issue with Congressman Donald Norcross’s

statement

with regard to the news of Congressman Jeff Van Drew coming to the Republican party.

At issue is, in his statement, Norcross claimed Van Drew owes an apology to a list of people and organizations as well as “the people of South Jersey.”

“Congressman Norcross is the last person to demand anyone apologize to the people of South Jersey.” Claire Gustafson said, “Norcross, when he announced he was running for Congress in February 2014

proudly proclaimed

, ‘As Senator, I led the charge on getting the Economic Opportunity Act passed into law – a game-changing law that will help create thousands of jobs in our region.’ More recently, Norcross’s tune has changed and it’s been reported he is trying to downplay his role in getting the law that led to the tax incentive scandal passed.”

Gustafson asked, “Where are those thousands of jobs?”

“Given the fact that it has been widely

reported

that only 27 jobs created by the law he championed went to Camden residents, it’s no wonder Norcross is now downplaying his role.” Gustafson remarked, “Since the tax incentive scandal was created by the law Norcross led the charge in passing, he should be the one apologizing to the people of South Jersey.”

“While we wait and see what kind of Republican Jeff Van Drew will be, the last thing I will do is allow Donald Norcross to attack any Republican, nor anyone about to join the party,” Gustafson said. “I look forward to seeing Norcross on the campaign trail, listening to him apologize to the people of South Jersey and getting an explanation as to where those thousands of jobs are.”

Pennsylvania Forms Task Force to Reform Commonwealth\’s Juvenile Justice System

By Steve Bittenbender |

The Center Square

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, legislative leaders and judges from across the state announced on Monday the creation of a task force that will recommend reforms for the commonwealth’s juvenile justice system.

Monday’s news conference in the state Capitol came about six weeks after Wolf’s Council on Reform identified juvenile justice as a system in need of overhaul. Studies indicate that as many as 9-in-10 kids in the juvenile justice system were exposed to a traumatic event in their young lives, the governor said, with about a third meeting criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Improving our juvenile justice system can have an enormous positive impact on our commonwealth by preventing young Pennsylvanians from ever entering our state prison system, and that\’s a very good thing,” Wolf said.

Each of the three branches of state government will appoint members to the task force within the next 30 days. That panel will deliver its recommendations by Nov. 30, 2020.

The task force will receive help from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Crime and Justice Institute. In

a study last year

, Pew noted that Pennsylvania held 999 youth for status offenses, which include underage drinking and truancy, or committing technical violations of their sentence, like missing a probation meeting or not completing a treatment program.

Only California and Texas detained more youth, and Pennsylvania’s percentage of children confined for those matters, 36 percent, ranked fifth nationally.

State lawmakers are already working on reforms to the criminal justice system. The Justice Reinvestment Initiative, which has already cleared the Senate, passed the House Judiciary Committee last week.

“Common sense tells us that as we look at our criminal justice system, we must also look upstream to our juvenile justice system,” said House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler. “By assessing evidence about what works to prevent re-offending, we can direct young people who may otherwise end up off in our adult jails and prisons at a great taxpayer expense. By intervening early, we can save money and improve lives.”

Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, who currently serves as the president judge for the family division of the state’s Fifth Judicial District and as chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, said that judges, juvenile probation officer and other stakeholders have worked hard to produce good outcomes for kids engaged in the system. However, more needs to be done, she said, and that it will require input from both parties.

“I think no matter what side of the aisle you\’re on, so to speak, we all agree that we want our communities to be safe and we want our children to thrive,” Clark said “And this task force will seek to do that.”

published here with permission of

The Center Square

Rocco V. D\’Aversa, 95, of Mt. Ephraim, NJ

Rocco V. D\’Aversa, 95, of Mt. Ephraim, NJ passed away December 13, 2019 with his children by his side at Elmwood Hills Healthcare Center in Blackwood, NJ after fighting a courageous battle with Alzheimer\’s disease.

Husband of the late Marie D\’Aversa (nee Scarduzio). Beloved father of Leon D\’Aversa of Mt. Ephraim and Darlene (Carl Jr.) Capasso of West Deptford. Beloved grandfather to Joseph (Lauren) Capasso Cape Coral, Fl. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Rocco was an Army veteran and retired from Campbell Soup company after 25 years of service, a job he loved to go to every day. He enjoyed raising and racing homing pigeons with his best friend Joe. He enjoyed fishing every summer, golfing, the casino, gardening and spending a shore vacation with his daughter and grandson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday December 19, 2019 at 10:30 AM at the St. Mary Church 426 Monmouth St, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Viewing from 9:15-10:15 AM prior to mass at the church. Interment New St. Mary Cemetery, Bellmawr, NJ. Contributions in Rocco\’s name may be made to Alzheimer\’s Association South Jersey regional office 3 Eves Dr., Suite 310 Marlton, New Jersey 08053 Phone: 856-797-1212.

Man Pleads Guilty to Causing Friend’s Death While Driving Impaired

BURLINGTON CITY NJ (Dec. 18, 2019)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 22-year-old Pemberton Township man pled guilty today in Superior Court to driving impaired and causing a crash late last year in Woodland Township that killed a friend who was traveling in his vehicle.

Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Donald Shinn pled guilty to Vehicular Homicide (Second Degree) in exchange for a four-year term in New Jersey state prison. The Hon. James J. Morley, J.S.C. scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2020.

The investigation began on December 22, 2018 just after 3 a.m. when New Jersey State Police Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash on County Road 563.

The investigation revealed that Shinn’s Toyota Tundra left the roadway and struck several trees after attempting to illegally pass another vehicle. Cody Watson, 20, of Pemberton Township, was seated in the front passenger’s seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. Shinn was treated for moderate injuries at a local hospital. A third passenger seated in the rear of the vehicle declined to accept medical treatment.

Toxicology tests performed on blood drawn from Shinn following the crash indicated he was legally impaired at the time of the incident.

The investigation was conducted the New Jersey State Police. Shinn is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joshua Dennis, supervisor of the BCPO Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit.

Donna Roberts Indicted on 8 Counts of Animal Cruelty; 44 Dogs Found Dead, 161 Living Dogs

Shamong Woman Indicted on Animal Cruelty Charges

Burlington City NJ (Dec. 18,2010)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Shamong woman has been indicted on multiple counts of causing death or bodily injury last year to dogs she kept on her property in substandard, inhumane conditions.

Donna Roberts, 66, of the 500 block of Oakshade Road, was indicted on eight counts of Animal Cruelty (Third Degree). The indictment was returned yesterday and signed by First Assistant Prosecutor Philip S. Aronow. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court in Mount Holly.

Roberts was charged late last year after New Jersey State Police found 44 dog carcasses placed in plastic bags and stored in freezers throughout the residence. Investigators also discovered 161 living dogs, four of which were in critical condition and required emergency treatment at a veterinary clinic.

The investigation began after officials went to inspect her property on November 13 and discovered dogs living in deplorable conditions. A search warrant was then secured and an inspection of the entire premises revealed the extent of the neglect.

The remaining dogs were evaluated and treated at the scene. In the immediate aftermath, multiple agencies came forward to assist with the care of those dogs, most of which were then placed for adoption.

Roberts was not detained pending trial, but has been forbidden by a judge from owning, possessing or caring for any animals.

The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police, with assistance from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Burlington County Health Department. The case was presented to the grand jury by Assistant Prosecutor Nicole Handy.

An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.