Police say store sold pirated CDs

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Over 250 music CDs alleged to have been pirated were confiscated by the township police last week.

According to police, on July 13 at 3:25 p.m., Sgt. Tom Burke noticed what he believed to be counterfeit music CDs on display and for sale at the American Way Food Store in the Town Shopping Center on Route 35 and West Park Avenue, and relayed the information to his department's Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Detectives began an investigation and contacted a representative of the Recording Industry Association of America, who assisted with the investigation.

One of the music CDs for sale at the store was obtained and determined to be a pirated music CD, one that is manufactured without the consent of the actual owner of the material.

Police arrested the owner of the store, Ajay Shah, and seized more than 100 CDs. Shah was charged with possession of pirated music CDs with the intent to sell them. He was released on summons.

According to police, while the investigation continued into the source of the CDs, a 17-year-old Staten Island, N.Y., woman arrived at the shopping center with more than 150 pirated CDs to restock the shelves of several local stores.

She was arrested with CDs in her vehicle, a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, which was seized for forfeiture action. The young woman was released, and charges against her are pending in the family court.