Last-minute gift idea: 'Miami Vice' Ferrari on eBay

MIAMI BEACH, Florida -- Procrastinating holiday shoppers can now grab one of Miami's most iconic two-seaters: the all-white 1986 Ferrari Testarossa driven by TV cops "Sonny" Crockett and Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs in the hit 1980s series "Miami Vice."

The car is available on eBay through January 7 and is being offered for $1.75 million by a south Florida pawn and auto loan company. It acquired the car in 2012 from the person who purchased it from the series producer, a department of Universal Studios, in 1991, according to Auto Pawn Plus owner Peter Lima.

"This has been in a garage, hidden for almost 30 years," he said.

Ferrari could not be reached to confirm the car's authenticity.

The vehicle has done 25,750 km and has the built-in Motorola phone used in the show, Lima said.

Throughout the series, which aired on NBC for five seasons from 1984 to 1989, producers used a number of cars, including a replica Ferrari for flashy shots cruising down Miami's sun-soaked, palm tree-lined streets. However when Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari discovered the show was using a replica he demanded Universal use authentic cars, according to Lima.

Producers acquired two black 12-cylinder Testarossas that were later repainted white, according to work receipts.

The other car is owned by a south Florida collector who has it on display in a flea market.

Should no buyer emerge for the Ferrari it will be sent to a high-end auction. "No big deal," Lima said. "It will sell for more."

"Miami Vice" featured Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in the lead roles and broke new ground through the use of new wave culture and music. It remains popular in syndication.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cops confirm robbery in SM North Edsa

Gun shots were reportedly heard inside the SM City North Edsa at past 7 p.m. on Sunday, which was filled with holiday shoppers two weekends before Christmas.

The incident resulted in a commotion when somebody allegedly shouted that someone was carrying a bomb and a gun. The shoppers were also asked to move to the parking lot and outside the mall.

As of 7:57 p.m., Police Supt. Pedro Sanchez, commander of Quezon City Police District Station 2, said there was a confirmed robbery inside the mall and that the authorities are now investigating.

"Confirmed, may robbery. Pero iniimbestigahan pa," he said.

Initial advisory from the Quezon City Police District said two to three persons were involved in the incident, and a hammer was recovered in the crime scene.

The authorities, however, have yet to give the full details about the incident.

The management of the SM North EDSA mall said the situation is already under control and there were no casualties.

"There is a Martilyo Gang robbery in a store in North Edsa. The police is on top of the situation and handling the matter. No one was hurt. The only weapon used was a martilyo. The mall remains open," a statement from SM read.

SM North EDSA customer, Dr. Babes Arce, said she and her family were in the second floor of the mall when they heard what they believe were gunshots from the ground floor.

"Nandito kami sa second floor ng SM North Edsa may narinig kaming isang loud shot, alam ko baril 'yun e. Tapos nag-scamper na ang mga tao, nag-run to safety sa isang kainan habang narinig ko yung mga iba pang shots ng baril. After a few minutes, medyo naglabasan na yung ibang tao, nagkaroon uli ng putukan dito, bumalik uli kami sa isang kainan," Arce who was still in the mall while being interviewed on radio dzMM.

A gun owner herself, Arce said she and her family are still hiding at the time of interview.

The authorities have already cordoned off the crime scene.– Reports from Henry Atuelan and Johnson Manabat, Jun Lingcoran, dzMM

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com