Two Delawareans arrested for dealing in bootleg DVD’s

New Castle County Police say more than 4,200 bootleg DVD’s were seized during the recent arrest of two men at a shopping center parking lot near New Castle.

Members of the police Mobile Enforcement Team spotted a suspicious vehicle at the Community Plaza on Route 273, and a man was selling items from the trunk of the SUV.  The man accepted money in exchange for a small box, then was seen at another business on Route 40, where he was met by another man who drove up and parked next to him.  Officers converged on the vehicles and discovered the DVD’s. 

42-year-old Neil Thomas and 58-year-old Warren Avery, both of New Castle, were arrested.  Police went to Thomas’s home, where officers found hundreds of DVD’s, $1,240 in cash believed to be proceeds from DVD sales, a 45-caliber handgun, and a digital scale used for drugs.  A computer search revealed that Thomas was prohibited from possessing weapons due to being a convicted felon. 

Thomas is charged with illegal distribution of trademarked materials, improper labeling of 100 or more sound recordings, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a person prohibited.  He was released on $15,500 unsecured bail. 

Avery is free on $5,200 bail after being charged with illegal distribution of trademarked materials and improper labeling of 100 or more sound recordings.