Crime doesn’t take the summer off. Here are the top video game crimes for the month of July:
July 1: Kids Steal Wii, Mom Arrested After Pawning It (WFTV)
“Investigators are trying to figure out if … 41-year-old Maxine Law, helped the teens sell the Wii at a local pawn shop even though she knew it was stolen.”
And this despite her last name. For shame, Mrs. Law, for shame.
July 2: Police Say Teen Killed Man, Shopped For Xbox (WCCO)
“According to police, investigators were led to Rocha-Campiz through text messaging and his use of the victim’s credit cards. The criminal complaint said Rocha-Campiz used the victim’s credit cards to buy stuff at Macy’s and Target, including an Xbox.”
Not cool, dude. Not cool.
July 3: Police: Bar Patron Used Lock Pick To Scam Money From Video Game (Sheboygan Press)
“A Plymouth bar patron was charged Thursday for allegedly accumulating and cashing out more than $800 worth of fraudulent credits on a video gaming machine. … Miller told police he would feed a $20 bill into the machine — receiving $20 in credit — then use a lock pick to open the machine and retrieve his bill, according to a criminal complaint. He then fed the bill through again, received more credit, and repeated the process.”
There’s a word for this – it’s called genius. Oh, no, wait, that’s not it… oh yeah, it’s called grand larceny.
July 4: Alleged PlayStation Thief Caught In Sting (KansasCity.com)
“…Another Kansas City resident had his PlayStation stolen when the buyer responded to his Craigslist ad. Instead of paying, the thief fled with the PlayStation in his car. The seller was injured when he chased and grabbed hold of the vehicle.”
We’ve had no luck finding bin Laden, but the PlayStation thief, him we set up a sting for.
July 9: Man Wanted For Stealing Gun, Nintendo Wii From Home (WLTX)
“Deputies say … he stole $5,000 in electronics equipment, including a Canon digital camera, an Apple computer, and a Nintendo Wii. Deputies say McCoy also took a Colt .38 caliber handgun.”
Oh dear God, please don’t let him think that gun is a Wiimote.
July 10: San Benito Arcade Burglarized(Valley Central)
“‘It seems like that is the in thing right now. Arcades are being targeted,’ said Lt. Morales. … This is the second arcade burglary to hit San Benito this year. Police say this latest burglary is a sign of a worrisome craze and warn arcade owners to be on the look out.”
Cops are on the hunt for a man buying expensive cars and paying entirely in quarters.
July 15: Teen’s Video Game Obsession Leads to Arrest (Morningsun.net)
“…Police were called about ’suspicious activity’ about 8:15 p.m. because the man kept going in and out of GameStop… [He] was waiting for his girlfriend to get off work, and while he was waiting, he went into the shop to play video games… A computer check revealed he was wanted on a warrant for motor vehicle violations.”
We knew going into GameStop was a mistake. We just never knew why until now.
July 24: Man Charged With Robbing Local Arcade (Laurel Leader-Call)
“According to police reports, the incident occurred at Power Play Arcade located in the Sawmill Square Mall. Bullock said police received a call Monday about 10:45 a.m. concerning a missing money bag.”
Looks like the real “power play” was that of the robber.
July 31: Couple Robbed Of Cash, Playstation (Post and Courier)
“The male victim told the female victim to give the suspects whatever they wanted. She gave the men $175 cash and a Sony Playstation from the living room, according to the report. Neither victim was hurt.”
How can you possibly call being robbed of a PlayStation “not hurt???”
July 31: PlayStation 3 Sale Turns Into Robbery, Miami Police Say (Miami Herald)
“Zabate showed him the money. Glass showed him the box. ‘Rather than give him the PlayStation, he snatches the money and runs, leaving with the box and the cash,’ said Miami police Cmdr. Delrish Moss.”
Moral of the story: never sell your PlayStation.
Hey crime busters! Also check out:
Police Blotter – Top 15 Video Game-Related Crimes For May And June, 2009
Police Blotter: Top 15 Video Game-Related Crimes For The Month Of April
Police Blotter: Top 9 Video Game-Related Crimes and Accidents For The Month Of March
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