NEWS BRIEFS
Couple trafficks fake Nikes

A Chesterfield County couple now faces federal charges for allegedly trafficking more than $1 million worth of counterfeit clothing. A federal grand jury indicted Luis and Maria Thomas last month after a raid of their former businesses on Midlothian Turnpike showed they were selling knockoff sporting apparel including fake Nike shoes and sports jerseys. The clothing was allegedly purchased in New York and transported here to sell.

County prosecutors brought charges against the Thomases following a June 2006 raid of their businesses, Thomas Sportswear, located at 7832 Midlothian Tnpk., and Thomas Fashions, inside the Super Flea Market at 5501 Midlothian Tnpk. Those charges, however, were dropped so federal charges could be pursued.

The Thomases face one count each of conspiracy and trafficking counterfeit goods. Luis Thomas was also indicted on three counts of money laundering.

Luis Thomas was previously convicted in February 2001 of selling counterfeit clothing in Richmond. Back then, he paid a $250 fine and was given a 10-day suspended jail term.

Man barricades himself in home

Police arrested an unidentified man on Nov. 26 after he barricaded himself inside his home in the 6500 block of Lothaire Court.

Officers initially responded to the home at about 9:23 a.m. after the homeowner threatened to harm himself when he was served an eviction notice. The man was taken into custody at 10:28 a.m. without incident and has been charged with obstruction of justice.

Vulture harassment underway

Biologists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services Program and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries began operations last week to disband a large flock of black vultures that have caused damage in the Dutch Gap Conservation Area. Non-lethal harassment activities, anticipated to last 14 days, are underway to disperse the birds from the Dutch Gap boat landing and Dominion Virginia Power facilities where they are causing a safety hazard and significant damage.

The methods utilized by biologists include pyrotechnics (loud whistles/bangs) being fired from the ground to the trees, lasers and other methods. Activities are centered on the Dutch Gap boat ramp - a vulture loafing site - during the day and move to roosting sites at dusk.

As the harassment activities scatter the vultures, the public can assist by reporting sightings of the birds, identifiable by a bright orange tag on a wing, via e-mail to dgifweb@ dgif.virginia.gov. If possible, include the date, time of day, location, activity of the bird and the tag number.

Vultures have used this area since the 1980s. As the vulture population and damage increased, Wildlife Services and Chesterfield County officials have used diverse methods to control the birds over the past seven years, including habitat modification, harassment and euthanizing.

Vultures have been seen at Dutch Gap damaging cars by scratching paint, pulling off windshield wipers and tearing tarps and car covers. They also have left fecal matter and vomit on vehicles, boat trailers and the boat-landing grounds. The vultures' droppings create safety hazards on power-station facilities.