Naperville cops arrest Elk Grove man in counterfeit DVD case

An Elk Grove Village man was arrested by Naperville police after a two-month undercover investigation found him selling counterfeit workout DVDs on Craigslist, authorities said Friday.

Police estimate the man made more than $40,000 from the pirated DVDs in the past year.

Philip B. Spence, 27, faces a felony charge of unlawful use of recorded sources or images as well as selling unlawful copies of DVDs.

The investigation started in late January after police reviewed postings on Craigslist that seemed suspicious, Naperville Sgt. Gregg Bell said.

Undercover officers made arrangements to meet with Spence on Jan. 27 and purchased a copy of the “Insanity” workout series. Once the transaction was complete, officers could tell the DVD was a pirated version, Bell said.

Officers conducted three different buys with Spence and arrested him following the last buy on March 20.

Spence's Elk Grove Village home was searched and officers found additional pirated DVDs, including counterfeit copies of the “P90X2” series and “Turbo Fire” workout DVDs. Regular prices for each of the workout systems can be more than $100 each.

Spence was transported to DuPage County jail where he remains.

He is next scheduled to appear in court on April 23.