Mamma mia! Legendary automaker sues local firm
A Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4
SASKATOON -- Italian luxury car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini is suing a Saskatoon replica car company, claiming the local business used trademarked logos and created counterfeit imitations of one of its famous cars.
North American Exotic Replica Cars Inc. (NAERC), which manufactures and distributes replica Lamborghini Diablo kit cars out of a location near Eighth Street, creates the illusion that a modified stock car is a true Lamborghini, the Italian company alleges in its statement of claim.
NAERC's use of the logos and designs creates the impression that the converted cars are endorsed by, sponsored by, connected with or originated with the Sant'Agata Bologna-based company, the claim says.
"Replica cars are made all the time," said Lamborghini's Saskatoon lawyer, Richard Danyliuk. "(But) if you, for example, manufacture a replica of a 1953 Corvette you don't call it a Corvette, you call it something else. Here, the allegation is the defendants are simply calling it a Lamborghini and using the logos."
The luxury car company wants an interim and permanent injunction against NAERC, restraining it from continuing with business, as well as an accounting for all sales, revenue and profits and further unspecified damages. Danyliuk said it's not out of the ordinary for companies to defend intellectual property and brand rights.
See Car Fight / A3
Man arrested after hit-and-runs LLOYDMINSTER -- A Lloydminster man faces a litany of charges after a tractor trailer was involved in a series of hit-and-run collisions today.
RCMP say the stolen tractor trailer and three vehicles were damaged in a series of crashes. A man ran away from the scene, and police caught him a short time later.
Officers arrested a 24-year-old man and charged him with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, and failure to remain at the scene of a crash.
Although police aren't sure how much damage was done, they're estimating it to be in the thousands of dollars.
There were no injuries
Assault victim was run over twice
The Saskatoon Police Service are investigating an aggravated assault that occurred on Wednesday. A 20 year old male had been in an altercation with the male occupants of a small red car. The 20 year old male had then been assaulted with the suspect vehicle, and ran over twice. He injuries were not life threatening.
Police are looking for the suspect vehicle, and the investigation continues.
Owners appeal Barry Hotel order
SASKATOON -- The Barry Hotel may get a temporary reprieve from the wrecking ball. Its owner, Shoshana Goldstein, is appealing a fix-or-destroy order made by the city in January against the property title.
Goldstein has been trying for months to sell the aging hotel at the corner of Avenue B and 20th Street. An agreement was reached in July but the prospective buyers were scared off shortly after when some councillors vowed to "take all steps" to prevent the purchaser from getting a liquor licence to operate the bar.
The Barry is an infamous drinking spot that many perceive as a source of neighbourhood problems. Last year, police responded to about 600 incidents there.
After scaring off the prospective buyers, the city made Goldstein a lower purchase offer, contingent on an environmental assessment. The report came back negative and the city rescinded the offer.
Another potential buyer, Larry Bozek, came along and entered into a contract with Goldstein. Days after that, the city filed its "order to remedy," demanding major structural repairs and extensive interior renovations be made or the building be totally demolished by July 31.
"The circumstances under which this order was made are questionable and the owner disputes the bona fides of the order in its entirety," states the notice of appeal filed by Goldstein with the property maintenance appeal board.
Bozek, in an interview with The StarPhoenix last month, praised the condition of the Barry, calling it a "strong old building. He owns two hotels - in Wynyard and Wadena - and is undaunted by the work needed to fix the Barry. There are some repairs to be done but it is far from requiring demolition, he said.
"To build something like that today would cost a lot."
In her appeal, Goldstein also noted there are 60 long-term residents who would be rendered homeless if the building is torn down. Further, the time allowed to remedy "the alleged contraventions" is insufficient for her to get contractors and an engineer to perform the work, she stated.
The appeal hearing is set for March 26.
The board, made up of five neighbourhood residents appointed by city council, will decide within 30 days whether to uphold the order to remedy.
Two weekend robberies in Saskatoon
SASKATOON -- Two armed robberies in Saskatoon have police searching for suspects today.
The first took place at 9:30 p.m. Friday night at a residence at the 1600-block of Wilson Cres. Police say two aboriginal men broke through the back door of the home, wearing ski masks. The man who was at home confronted the two men, and was hit three times with a sawed off shotgun before the resident could push them back out the door. The two men left on foot and a police canine unit was called to the scene. The resident of the home went to hospital for stitches, but his injuries were non-life threatening.
The second robbery took place 13 hours later at Source Adult Video, located on the 600-block of Circle Drive East. The 5-foot-5 man, wearing a ski mask and dark clothes, entered the store at 10:30 this morning threatening staff with what police assume was a sawed off shotgun. The man made off with an undisclosed amount of money. Canine units and several patrol cars responded, but no arrests have been made. Police believe the theif may have left in a vehicle.
Staff Sgt. Lenard Watkins said the police can't comment on whether the incidences are related.
"They were within a short period, but one was a home invasion and one was at a place of business, so we just don't know at this time," he said.
