charged in alleged counterfeit clothing ring in Utica area

Three people were arrested and charged in connection with an alleged counterfeit clothing ring Wednesday following a nine-month investigation by the state police Special Investigations Unit in Utica. Police seized more than $183,000 worth of what is believed to be counterfeit merchandise this week after executing search warrants at three storage units and three private residences around the Mohawk Valley Monday, they said. The items found in storage units Monday included allegedly counterfeit North Face apparel, Ugg boots, Coach handbags and shoes, Dolce & Gabbana handbags and sunglasses, and Louis Vuitton handbags, police said. The merchandise was located at the Access Storage Facility on Lomond Place in Utica, Twin Maple Storage Facility on state Route 5 in Schuyler and Your Lock N' Store Storage Facility on Route 5 in Westmoreland, police said. Similar items were seized from private homes in Utica, New Hartford and Rome on Tuesday, along with three vehicles and $7,000 in cash, police said. Police said those arrested were: * Francis M. Rotundo, 65, of Roseclair Avenue, Utica, was charged with felony second-degree trademark counterfeiting. He will appear in Westmoreland Town Court at 3 p.m. Wednesday. * John J. Meagher, 64, of Fairfax Place, Utica, was charged with felony second-degree trademark counterfeiting and misdemeanor fifth-degree conspiracy. He will appear in New Hartford Town Court at 1 p.m. Tuesday. * Angela M. Topi, 47, of Oriskany Road, Rome, was charged with felony second-degree trademark counterfeiting and misdemeanor fifth-degree conspiracy. She will appear in Rome City Court at 9 a.m. Tuesday.