Mount Si with trees in foreground

Twin Peaks Film Location – Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates

The Rancho Rosa Estates film location tour wraps up with a scene from Twin Peaks Part 5. A group of five thieves (or punks if you’d prefer) attempt to steal Dougie Jones’ vehicle and get a rather enlightening surprise. Thanks to the Behind the Curtain footage from the Twin Peaks – From Z to A Collection, we have a good idea of how this scene was shot.

WHERE IS THE LOCATION WHEN THIEVES TRY TO STEAL DOUGIE JONES’ CAR?

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Google Maps

The majority of the two scenes take place at 37890 Lopez Lane in Palmdale, California. The approximate coordinates are 34°34’13.3″N 118°00’30.6″W.

The footage was captured on January 15, 2016. The crew probably saved this shot for the final day at this location due to the practical effects of an exploding car.

THIEVES DRIVE BY RANCHO ROSA ESTATES

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

There are two parts to this film location article. The first takes place along Lopez Lane when the five thieves drive by Dougie’s house in a black 1972 Dodge Charger with a Nevada license plate – 974 6UH. They are blasting “Habit” by the band Uniform.

Picture Car Warehouse - 1972 Dodge Charger
Picture Car Warehouse

The car appears to come from Picture Car Warehouse located in Northridge, California.

Calvin Harris video / Skylar Grey video
Calvin Harris video / Skylar Grey video

The car makes an appearance in two videos prior to being in Twin Peaks. The top image is from Calvin Harris’ “Summer,” while the bottom image is from Skylar Grey’s “Cannonball” featuring X Ambassadors. It appears the headlights are hidden behind the front grill.

Dougie Jones' Car in Twin Peaks - Part 5
Part 5
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Bing Maps

The thieves pause for a moment and the camera cuts to Dougie Jones’ 2000 Ford Taurus is still parked in the drive way. Notice the rock on the ground behind the back right tire? It will be used later in the scene.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

The Charger is parked in front of the One One Nine House located across the street.

Short film by Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short film by Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

It was neat to see David Lynch giving direction to the punks from the short film by Jason S., “Tell It Martin.”

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

A close up shot of Dougie’s Nevada license plate – DUGE LV – fills the screen.

Twin Peak Film Location - Thieves Visits Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

After another moment, the thieves drive away on Lopez Lane, following the same route Gene and Jake took moments ago.

CURIOUS BOY EXAMINES DOUGIE JONES’ CAR

Twin Peak Film Location - Thieves Visits Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

Later in Part 5, we return to Dougie’s love shack. A shot of the bomb that Gene planted under Dougie’s car shows it periodically blinking red.

Twin Peak Film Location - Thieves Visits Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

A wide shot of the house follows which is from the point-of-view of the little boy across the street. The blinking light of Gene’s bomb calls to him.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Bing Maps

The little boy looks both ways before crossing Lopez Lane.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

A reverse shot of the little boy just before he steps into the street.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

The little boy crawls behind the car and reaches out toward the bomb.

THIEVES RETURN TO RANCHO ROSA ESTATES

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Bing Maps

Suddenly, the thieves car peels around the corner from Atmore Street onto Lopez Lane.

Sycamore Street
Part 3

Atmore is the same street that doubles as Sycamore Street from Part 3.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

Speeding down the street, the punks rush quickly toward Dougie’s car and the curious boy. As they approach, we hear “Tabloid” by Uniform.

STEALING DOUGIE JONES’ CAR

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visiting Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5
Little Boy Behind Dougie Jones' car
Part 5

The little boy is startled as the thieves suddenly stop in front of Dougie’s car.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visiting Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visiting Rancho Rosa Estates
Bing Maps

They spill out of the car. A punk played by Blake Zingale heads toward the little boy. Zingale is credited as he has spoken lines.

While he doesn’t appear to have any additional acting credits, as of 2019, he was in a souther California band named The Higrounds. They haven’t published anything on their Instagram channel since December 31, 2019 so perhaps they aren’t together anymore.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visiting Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

The boy backs away quickly as lead punk Zingale approaches. There is that rock I previously mentioned.

Short film by Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short film by Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”
Short film by Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short film by Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

These photos bring me joy as I love seeing the behind-the-scenes stuff of how they shot Twin Peaks. Such an expert crew that put together this production!

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

Zingale picks up the rock and chucks it at the little boy while telling him to “get out of here.”

Short film by Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short film by Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Bing Maps

I loved seeing David Lynch interact with Sawyer Shipman in the behind-the-scenes footage.

CURIOUS BOY WATCHING THE THIEVES

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Bing Maps

The little boy stops retreating and watches the thieves attempting to steal Dougie’s car.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5
Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

Zingale keeps watch as two other thieves opens Dougie’s car door. I wish I knew the names of the remaining punks. Haven’t found them yet.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

Suddenly, BOOM! The car explodes as the punks attempt to start the vehicle. The little boy reacts at the explosion.

David Lynch acts surprised
Short Film By Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

The best part of Jason S.’s short film is seeing Lynch explain the Sawyer how big his eyes should be during the explosion. How can he continue to be this awesome?

Behind him is Sabrina Sutherland who is sporting a black Ontario Reign knit cap. The Reign are an American Hockey League team who began playing in 2015-2016 and are affiliated with the National Hockey League team, Los Angeles Kings. First Assistant Director Scott Cameron is behind Lynch’s megaphone taking notes.

EXPLOSION IN RANCHO ROSA ESTATES!

Twin Peaks Film Location - Car Explosion
Part 5

The camera cuts back to the car that is now engulfed in flames.

Short film by Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short film by Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”
Short film by Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short film by Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

The special effects team replaces Dougie’s 2000 Ford Taurus with an previously damaged 2004 Ford Taurus.

Short film by Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short film by Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

The special effects crew removes part of the truck from the Taurus.

Short film by Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short film by Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

Gary D’Amico, special effects coordinator for Twin Peaks Season 3 – busts the driver’s side window prior to the car being exploded.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

The remaining two punks jump in the Dodge Charger. I’m guessing the background folks standing in front of the house across the street are the actual residents of that home.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

I’m also guessing the crew boarded up the front windows to both protect the home from the explosion and adding to the abandoned ambiance of the neighborhood.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

Frightened, the little boy darts across the street to his house. Notice that part of the car is already on the roof.

Twin Peaks Film Location - One One Nine House
Part 6

We’ll see better detail of that piece in Part 6. Interestingly, compare the sky and scene colors between the little boy running in Part 5 and the police at the crime scene in Part 6. Most likely they were shot about the same time, meaning the little boy didn’t immediately run to the home following the explosion.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates
Part 5

I combined to images of the car on fire and bodies burning.

Short Film By Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short Film By Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

A neat behind-the-scenes shot of fire being added the dummies.

Short Film By Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short Film By Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

BOOM!

Short Film By Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short Film By Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”
Short Film By Jason S. - "Tell It Martin"
Short Film By Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

Two close up details of the fake bodies on fire. The top image is most likely supposed to be the body of the lead punk played by Blake Zingale. How cool would it be to have a body double made of yourself for Twin Peaks?

Short Film By Jason S. - "Tell It Martin" - David Lynch
Short Film By Jason S. – “Tell It Martin”

I close this article with a fantastic shot of Mr. Lynch sitting next to heaters during the morning shoot. It was a chilly day in the Palmdale desert. I’m so grateful that Mark Frost and him gave us this treasure.

Author

  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

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3 thoughts on “Twin Peaks Film Location – Thieves Visit Rancho Rosa Estates

    1. @Blake – Check out the “Twin Peaks – The Z to A Collection” on Blu-ray which contains several short films by Jason S, including “Tell it Martin.”

  1. Was lucky enough to be part of this episode! Im the bald guy who gets blown up when I crank the engine

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