Fire sheds light on DVD piracy

CAMPBELL -- A Bright Avenue man was released on a $1,000 bond after appearing in Campbell Municipal Court on charges related to bootleg DVDs found during a fire at a house.
William Turner, 48, was charged with criminal simulation, theft and possession of criminal tools, all felonies. Brian Macala, city law director, said that Turner turned himself in to police.
He is to return to court for a preliminary hearing Aug. 25.
Last week, city Patrolman Kenny Arendas, who also works as a Coitsville firefighter, responded to a fire at the house where Turner lived. He spotted more than 1,000 of the digital video discs, some of which included four or five copies of the same movie, and notified detectives, police said.
Police seized boxes of the movies, including some showing in theaters.
Firefighters estimated the damage to the house at about $5,000. It was contained to an upstairs bedroom.