According to reports from the local 24-hour news channel about a dozen shoppers were locked in the basement of a Chinatown store that was being raided by police. The store owners pushed them into the basement and they were stuck there when 5 of the store owners/clerks were arrested for copyright infringement - and those hiding in the basement refused to let them out. The shoppers had to call for help on cell phones to be released. (Those shopkeepers who kept the shoppers in the basement are also being charged with kidnapping.)

This was part of an on-going sting police are conducting on pirated and counterfit goods (bags, wallets, sun glasses etc) being sold in many Chinatown stands and shops. Several other stores were raided - and the raids are expected to continue.

So - for those wanting to shop in Chinatown, yes sale of these goods is illegal. And - buyer beware - in more ways then one.

Thanks for sharing this nytraveler.

For those visiting, Chinatown = Canal Street. Same thing.

I cringe when I see people posting on here advising others to go into "backrooms" on Canal Street to get good deals. It's never smart whether you get caught in this way or something worse happens.

To the top for Gekko.

http://www.gothamist.com/2007/04/04/trapped_with_a.php

This is almost like Johns caught in a prostitution sting. Why should only the hookers suffer - when they couldn;t be selling if people weren;t looking to buy something illegal?

Not like this is a big secret...