PALMDALE –A probation check in Palmdale on Tuesday (Jan. 8) led deputies to a stolen handgun and thousands of bootleg DVDs, authorities said.
“So far we are in excess of 15,000 pirated DVDs that they have recovered at a loss of over $160,000,” said Sgt. Kyle Bistline of Palmdale Station’s Partners Against Crime (PAC) Team.
The items were found at a home at 37858 10th Street East in Palmdale, when the PAC Team went to check on 32-year-old probationer Nichol Scott.
Numerous boxes of bootleg DVDs were stacked right in the living room, along with a DVD duplicating machine, Bistline said. The collection included a range of movies, from Hollywood classics to recently released movies like Django Unchained.
“There’s one in there that hasn’t even come out yet – the Hansel and Gretel [Witch Hunters],” Bistline said. “They’re going to investigate how they got that because of the fact that it’s a movie that hasn’t even been released yet.”
Investigators from the Motion Picture Association of America [MPAA] were called to the scene to seize the pirated DVDs for their own investigation, Bistline said.
During the probation check, deputies also found a handgun that was stolen in 1998, along with several rounds of live ammunition, and a stolen Rug Doctor carpet cleaner.
Probationer Nichole Scott was arrested for being a felon with access to a firearm and live ammunition.
The two other people living at the home were also arrested.
William Vanhorn, 43, was arrested for movie piracy, and Shawn Caw, 53, was arrested for movie piracy, grand theft (for the Rug Doctor), and possession of a stolen firearm.
The city’s building and safety department was called in to check on various violations at the home, Bistline said.
“There is no water here right now and the garage is not put in the way it’s supposed to be,” Bistline said. “I called building and safety to get the city involved so we don’t have an issue of the house possibly burning down or some other issue.”
In addition to the thousands of illegal DVDs, authorities also seized several boxes of old vinyl LP records, eight track tapes, and cassettes from the home, Bistline said.
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Matthew says
okay, so they take the bootleg dvd’s, the gun, and the rug doctor, all confiscated as evidence. but how exactly do they explain taking the vinyl albums, the 8 track tapes, and the cassette tapes? those 3 items have nothing to do with any of the charges that are being pressed. typical police… i’m sure it was something like one of them thinking to themself “hey, this is an awesome music collection. i’ll confiscate it too so i can take it home later and add it to my own collection.”
Jaycee Sailer says
I have to say something after reading the comments posted. I have known Will for many years. He is an amazing person that would do anything to help anyone that needed it. He had nothing to do with any of this… He lived in his parents house to take care of his mom who was dying of alzheimers. The only thing that he might POSSIBLY be guitly of would be that he didn’t go to the police about things going on in the home (IF he was aware). Totally sucks. I do not know the other people charged and I’m not going to even try to defend them… probably guilty.
dontworrybehappy says
Numerous boxes of bootleg DVDs were stacked right in the living room, along with a DVD duplicating machine.
I think he knew
daace says
He’s a piece of [removed] and hope he rots in prison
April says
Glad they got the scumbags off the street. Tired of seeing people come up to me as Im getting out of my car to go the store and they wanna sell me these bootlegs.
sammy P says
I would never buy a movie from some guy in a parking lot, usually they are very poor quality “cam” versions recorded in a movie theater by some guy with a camcorder. The audio is awful, and you hear and see other moviegoers.
also- I doubt this was a random “probation check”, cops most likely received a tip and when they discovered that a resident who lived there was on probation it gave the cops an excuse to enter and search with no warrant, and rather then give credit to the tipster, they gave themselves all the credit. if I was a betting man, I would bet they arrested some fool who dropped a dime on those 3 clowns in return for detectives giving that fool a break on his own charges.
L & 20th W. says
vagos in training…lol
Melanie says
Where is that woman that always comes on here and tries to defend parolees and convicts? Probably hiding where she should be! Disgusting!
Gladdis says
Taking the night off, minding her own business. Maybe you should do the same.
Tyrus says
100 Rounds & five clips. You don’t need a .45 to slang DVDs.
Frank Rizzo says
only 100 rounds? Wow thats it big deal. And a crappy 1911 that will probablly jam if it is attempted to be fired. DVD pirates? Big deal. Hollywood and the movie cinemas rip you off every time you go in so what. They prob got them sent over from overseas. Why dont the police go and solve one of the unsolved numerous murder mysteries that haunt this Antelope Valley?
Tyrus says
They had 5 clips, Frank! That’s 35 rounds of 250gr FMJ mayhem. He could clear out Cinimark 22 with that kind of firepower. AND!! AND!! The female could have used the DVD’s like Ninja weapons.
Thomas says
@Frank, as petty as the crime may seem the fact is that the movie industry brings jobs to the state and revenue to the area. Besides I would rather the proceeds go to the working people rather than the scumballs.
Frank Rizzo says
I dont see the movie industry bringing revenue to this area, they bring in all their stuff from LA. Anyway Ill remember that the next time Brad Pit or Robert Deniro Buys multi million dollar homes and cars. DVD disks make great weapons.
Tyrus says
POS [removed] Methhead Tweakers. Go back to Iowa. The look like the Outlaw Bikers.
Frank Rizzo says
Outlaw Bikers have more class than this bunch!