Two Arrested, Found Allegedly Selling Thousands of Bootleg DVDs

Photo by Zak Bushey.

Police are investigating two apparent family members who were discovered selling about 3,500 bootlegged movies at the weekly swap meet at Citrus College Sunday.

A concerned patron of the Foothill Swap Meet, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., notified Glendora Police of a man selling DVDs of movies either still in theaters or having not been officially released on DVD, said Lt. Matt Williams of Glendora Police.

“Officers go to investigate and find about 3,500 counterfeit DVDs,” Williams said.

Detectives were busy Monday investigating the incident, but did not have much more information to offer.

Arrested were Julian Ruiz, 22, from West Covina, and Ramiro Ruiz, 60, from Westminster. Both were booked on suspicion of selling or manufacturing a counterfeit mark of 1,000 or more units. Both are being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Also arrested was China Ruiz, 23. She was booked on outstanding warrants out of West Covina Police, Williams said. She is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Foothill Swap Meet is managed by Pacific Swap Meets, which also operates Pacific San Fernando Swap Meet, Vineland Swap Meet and Kam Swap Meet in Hawaii.

An after hours call to the main phone number to Pacific Swap Meets went unanswered. A message was left.

The website, foothillswapmeet.com, is not operational. Foothill Swap Meet boasts more than 530 spaces and 6,000 buyers.

Both Julian and Ramiro Ruiz are scheduled for an appearance in the West Covina Courthouse March 29.