Friday, January 6, 2012

Police Issues Around the Winter Classic

The police are involved in two incidents surrounding the 2012 NHL Winter Classic. Neither are related to the game itself, but things outside the stadium.

The first involves illegal goods. $350,000 worth.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations office says it intercepted 150 international mail parcels and seized merchandise from vendors outside Citizens Bank Park, where the Philadelphia Flyers met the New York Rangers on Monday.

Investigators seized more than 1,600 items in all, including counterfeit MLB, NFL, NBA and NCAA merchandise.

Authorities say the investigation is continuing and no arrests have been made.

In other news, police in Philadelphia are seeking the public’s help identifying three men involved in a fight between Flyers and Rangers fans outside a cheesesteak shop following Monday’s Winter Classic hockey game.

Philadelphia police on Wednesday released an edited version of a YouTube video of the altercation, which ends with a Rangers fan lying stunned on the street.

Investigators say a man in a Flyers jersey is the main aggressor, throwing the first punch after a verbal dispute. Two other men join in the fight, which also involves a second Rangers fan. Authorities say one victim needed stitches for his injuries.

The Flyers, through a team spokesman, had no comment.

I also have no comment. It's past my bedtime.