HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (10-26-09)

MORE ON THAT GANG WHO RIPPED OFF LINDSAY LOHAN AND OTHER CELEBRITIES:

We're learning more about that quote-unquote "gang" that robbed LINDSAY LOHAN, AUDRINA PATRIDGE and other celebrities. And while we can't justify their actions, you have to admire their methods. --In all, six people have been arrested . . . four girls and two guys. They're all 18 or 19 years old except for one of the guys, who's 27.

The ringleader appears to be one of the girls . . . 18-year-old Rachel Lee. Sources close to the case say she was obsessed with celebrities and fashion. --Over the past year or so, they stole clothing, jewelry and other items in burglaries at the homes of Lindsay, Audrina, PARIS HILTON and ORLANDO BLOOM.

What they did was locate celebrities' addresses using Hollywood star maps and the Internet. Then they would research their appearance schedules in order to figure out when they wouldn't be home.

Three of the suspects, Lee, Diana Tamayo and Nicholas Prugo, were classmates at Indian Hills High School . . . which is for AT-RISK STUDENTS. They graduated in 2008. --Tamayo was student body president and had received a $1,500 "future teacher" scholarship. Lee got a creative arts scholarship.

Over the summer, Lee and Tamayo were arrested for shoplifting $85 worth of stuff from a Sephora beauty store. They got probation.

Another suspect, Alexis Neiers, actually has an E! reality show pilot currently in production. We don't know much about it . . . except that it also involves her sister, a "Playboy" model by the name of Tess Taylor.

After arresting five of the six suspects last week . . . (--The other had already been arrested) . . . police recovered some of the stolen items, including most of the jewelry that was taken from Paris Hilton.

They also found three firearms and a, quote, "large amount of narcotics." --A computer used by the first suspect arrested, Nicholas Prugo, yielded some interesting evidence. --There were several Google searches of celebrity jewelry . . . like "audrina patridge diamond watch" . . . "paris hilton diamond watch" . . . and "lindsay lohan blue rolex". --There was also a link to a Google Maps page showing the location of Orlando Bloom's house.

The thieves apparently GOT Lindsay's blue Rolex, by the way . . . because Prugo's computer also had a picture of one of the suspects wearing it.(--Here's that picture . . . along with a screen shot of Orlando's house on Google Maps . . .)

TWILIGHT

Still not convinced that "Twilight" has turned vampires into the property of 14-year-old girls??? The cast of "New Moon" is going on a nationwide MALL TOUR from November 6th through the 19th. (--The movie opens on the 20th.) --You can check out the dates here . . . http://eonline.com/uberblog/b150555_new_moon_cast_goes_on_nationwide.html


MICHAEL JACKSON STILL COMMUNICATES WITH LA TOYA . . . AND HIS TALKING BIRD:

If you were dead and had important things to say to the living, who would you contact??? LA TOYA JACKSON and a talking bird, right??? Me too.

And MICHAEL JACKSON shares our feelings on this one. --La Toya says, quote, "When I go to his house I say, 'Hello, Michael. How are you? If you're here, please, please let me know.' And the lights start blinking. I can feel him.

"I can smell his Tom Ford cologne and I've felt him brush past me. It's the most wonderful feeling and the biggest smile comes over my face. I tell him I love him so much and ask him to show me he's here again. The lights blink again. --"No other members of the family have experienced it. Just me."

La Toya has also witnessed Michael's pet macaw . . . which now lives with his kids at the Jackson Family home . . . speaking to Michael. --She says, quote, "[The macaw] was saying, 'Everything's OK, Michael. Everyone's fine, don't worry. The kids? How are the kids doing? Well, see how the kids are playing. They're playing and they're having fun.'"

In addition to flicking lights on and off and talking to his bird, Michael is also helping La Toya investigate his death. --She says, quote, "I ask Michael to help me understand what took place. I've told him to find a way to let me know.

"A person's name will pop into my head out of the blue, I'll call them, they give me information and I'll find the connection I've been looking for. It's amazing."


THE TOP 50 CARTOON CHARACTERS:

A columnist for About.com has published a list of The Top 50 Cartoon Characters, based on, quote, "their influence, their popularity and their hilarity." Here are the Top 10:
#1.) Bugs Bunny#2.) Homer Simpson#3.) Mickey Mouse#4.) Bart Simpson#5.) Charlie Brown#6.) Fred Flintstone#7.) The Grinch#8.) Popeye#9.) Wile E. Coyote#10.) Rocky and Bullwinkle(--You can see the entire list, plus mini write-ups on each one, beginning here . . .)http://animatedtv.about.com/od/showsaz/tp/top50chrctrs.htm


KANYE WEST WILL HAVE TO DO 50 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR FREAKING OUT ON THE PAPARAZZI LAST YEAR:

KANYE WEST will not face any charges for freaking out on the paparazzi in an incident at Los Angeles International Airport last year. This was the time where he and his road manager, Don Crawley, threw a camera-smashing tantrum.

Both men were hit with misdemeanor vandalism, battery and grand theft charges . . . but on Friday, a judge dismissed them, provided they complete 50 hours of community service each. Kanye will serve his with the American Red Cross.

Kanye's lawyer said he'd already repaid the photographers for everything they destroyed . . . and the photographers submitted letters to the court saying they were cool with the amount they received and that they would not be pressing charges.


DID BUDDHA HELP A-ROD TURN IT ON DURING THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR???

The New York Yankees won the American League Pennant last night. And one of the big stories in this year's post-season has been the fact that ALEX RODRIGUEZ is NOT choking in the playoffs for a change.

Well, it turns out that two very important people may be responsible for that: KATE HUDSON and . . . BUDDHA. --A so-called "source" says that Kate is a devout Buddhist . . . she's got A-Rod doing a little dabbling himself.

Kate has also been seen sitting behind the Yankee dugout during games, with BUDDHA PRAYER BEADS laid out on the railing in front of her seats.