Police arrest Village People's original policeman in Daly CityFriday, July 15, 2005
(07-15) 10:01 PDT Daly City, Calif. (AP) --
Victor Edward Willis, the original policeman in the 1970s music group the Village People, was arrested by real police who allegedly found a gun and drugs in the former star's convertible, authorities said.
Willis, who co-wrote disco hits such as "Macho Man" and "In the Navy" before leaving the Village People in the late 1970s, was taken into custody late Monday after an officer stopped the musician in his Chevrolet Corvette in Daly City, just south of San Francisco. Willis also had an outstanding $15,000 felony warrant for possession of narcotics, police said.
Police said Willis didn't have a valid license or identification and at first lied about his name and residence. Inside the car, the officer found a .45-caliber handgun as well as rock cocaine and drug paraphernalia, according to a police report. It was unclear what prompted the initial traffic stop, Daly City Police Lt. Matt Bushong said.
Police arrested Willis on suspicion of six felony counts, including possession of a firearm, driving on a suspended license and transportation of cocaine. The musician was booked into the San Mateo County jail and posted $100,000 bail Tuesday.
Police found traces of cocaine and other drug paraphernalia when they searched his home at the Franciscan Mobile Home Park in Daly City, where two American pit bull terriers were locked in the former star's bedroom.
Willis is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 16.
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