Two Martinsville brothers were charged with theft by deception and piracy after they were caught allegedly videotaping the recently released film, “Bruno,” at Reading Cinemas on North Main Street on Friday with the intent of selling the video over the Internet.

   Paul Epifan, 23, and Timothy Epifan, 21, were charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree piracy after the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Squad received an anonymous tip that two people were videotaping movies in theaters and selling them prior to DVD releases.

   According to Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest, the tip was received at 11 a.m., and, as Paul Epifan and Timothy Epifan were leaving the theater, they were approached by police officers.

   Paul Epifan was immediately placed under arrest, but Timothy Epifan fled from detectives, Mr. Forrest said, while simultaneously attempting to delete the contents of a video recording device he had attached to his waistband. Mr. Epifan attempted to run between two police vehicles while fleeing, but collided with one and suffered a broken left leg, the prosecutor said.

   Mr. Epifan was transported to an area hospital, and was charged with fourth-degree resisting arrest by flight, he said.

   Following the arrests, Mr. Forrest said, a search warrant was obtained for the brothers’ residence and detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office, Bridgewater Police Department and investigators from the Motion Picture Association allegedly found several computers and pirated DVD movies and equipment.

   All the materials were seized from the home, the prosecutor said.

   According to Manville Police Chief Mark Peltack, this is the first time he can remember such an incident taking place in the borough.

   ”I am sure there are more (incidents elsewhere),” he said. “But it does not happen here that much.”

   Paul Epifan was transported to Somerset County Jail, and was released after posting the 10 percent option on $20,000 bail on Saturday.

   Timothy Epifan was turned over to the custody of the Somerset County Sheriffs Office while awaiting medical treatment, and bail was set at $30,000 with a 10 percent option. Mr. Forrest said Mr. Epifan is currently serving a three-year probation sentence following a conviction for third-egree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

   Mr. Epifan was later released from the jail to the hospital for additional medical treatment.