$10M in fake smartphones found
NEW YORK (AP) — Police in New York City raided two warehouses in Brooklyn that yielded three arrests and the seizure of more than $10 million worth of counterfeit electronics.
Authorities say Thursday night’s bust was the culmination of a nine-month investigation launched in response to a string of suspicious packages that started trickling through customs at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Police and federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs recovered 31,000 fake Apple and Samsung phones from the two buildings, along with $71,000 in cash.
Three men — ages 23, 24 and 27 — were taken into police custody and charges are pending. The identities of the suspects haven’t been released.
NYPD Assistant Chief Brian McCarthy says the bogus smartphone ring was operated as a joint partnership involving multiple locations.
Man dies from injuries in crash
SARATOGA SPRINGS (AP) — Authorities say a 74-year-old man has died from injuries caused by a four-vehicle crash in Saratoga Springs.
City police say Harvey Froschauer of Ballston Spa crossed into the path of a pickup truck when he turned from Route 50 onto West Avenue in Saratoga Springs around 8 a.m. Wednesday. Police say Froschauer died later at Saratoga Hospital.
The pickup truck driver suffered injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening. Two other vehicles were slightly damaged.
NYPD Smart car fleet to expand
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Police Department has announced plans to expand its fleet of Smart cars to replace the three-wheeled scooters that officers utilized for decades.
The New York Times reports the NYPD is among the first public safety organizations in the world to introduce the cars, with 150 vehicles already in service.
The department has contracted to add at least 75 more Smart cars, which are made by German automaker Daimler AG.
In addition to being described as more approachable by civilians, the vehicles are said to be safer, cheaper and easier to operate than the scooters. And unlike the scooter, the Smart car goes fast enough for highway travel.
NYPD officials have emphasized that the Smart car is still seen more as a scooter than a squad car.
One killed, 5 hurt in 2-car crash
KINDERHOOK (AP) — Authorities say one person is dead and five others have been taken to a hospital following a two-car head-on collision in the Hudson Valley.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatchers say the crash occurred shortly before 10:30 p.m. Thursday at an intersection of Route 9 in the town of Kinderhook, 20 miles south of Albany.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Five others were taken to Albany Medical Center. Information on their conditions hasn’t been released.
The crash closed Route 9 until around 5 a.m. today as state police investigated what caused the accident.
No other details have been released by troopers.
Worker dies in industrial accident
HENRIETTA (AP) — Authorities say a 49-year-old man has been killed in an industrial accident at the suburban Rochester plant where he worked.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded around 11:20 a.m.
No other details have been released.
Paris, France-based Mersen is a global company that designs electrical equipment and graphite-based materials for industrial use.
State-made beer to be sold in China
ALBANY (AP) — Beer brewed in the Empire State and bearing the iconic “I Love NY” logo will be distributed in China starting next year.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that Two Dragons beer brewed by the Syracuse-based Empire Brewing Co. will arrive in China in February. He says the first officially licensed “I Love NY” beer will introduce the state’s thriving craft beverage industry to a global audience.
The ale-style beer is brewed with hops grown in New York state and Chinese black tea. The bottle caps and labels bear the official state tourism campaign’s “I Love NY” logo with a red heart between the “I” and “NY”.
Empire Brewing owner David Katleski says he was inspired to create Two Dragons during a state-sponsored trade mission to China last year.
