According to authorities, a pair of Cicero residents were arrested after hundreds of pirated DVDs were found in their possession during a traffic stop in Elmwood Park.

Paula Loaiza, 35, and Juan Salgado, 29, were pulled over near the intersection of Grand Avenue and 75th Avenue on January 26, for malfunctioning brake lights. The arresting officer noticed a suitcase on the back seat. After obtaining permission to search the car, more than 800 DVDs were found in the suitcase and a backpack. The couple said they had bought the suitcase and backpack from a man in Chicago.

On February 2, officers from the West Suburban Drug and Gang Task Force (WEDGE) task force executed a warrant to search the couple’s home at 2137 S. 61st St. in Cicero. Upon entering, officers found a computer, printer and what appeared to be illegally produced DVD movies scattered around a living room closet. They seized all of the DVDs and computer equipment and immediately took Loaiza into custody. Salgado was arrested at Big Bowl restaurant in Chicago, where he works.

Police contacted a representative of the Movie Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America who inspected the DVDs, confirmed the movies had been illegally pirated, and signed a formal complaint on behalf of both organizations.

Loaiza and Salgado have been charged with unlawful possession of unidentified audio/video recordings.