I don't care who did this, but this kid has lost one of the only things he enjoyed in life. I don't want to see these bastards in hell (really don't care about them), but I'd like to see a smile on Zak's face. Is there a way to unite and pay him a brand new PS3 and some games ? I don't know how I can help, but I'd gladly contribute to any effort aiming to make him happy again. Can the Kotaku editors do something ?

sendoshi

They should have given him a Wii, he looks like he could do with losing a couple of those tyres from around his waist.

Finklestone

@Zero_: You mean because boomarangs come back to you, right?

Eltigro

I imagine someone will help poor Zak out, I'm not sure if people broke into the home because he received the PS3 or that it was just random and a horrid coincedence.

No matter the reason, fuck those assholes and here's to hoping Zak gets a new PS3, and MGS4 to boot amirite?

Sniper_Zegai

I feel for this kid. I hope Sony sees this and helps the kid out. I've seen microsoft do a lot of good PR by helping gamers out.

Metropolis

@pd771:
I said "I'm sure enough people will take pity on this guy and donate the money to get him another one"
>___>

fadecy

@pd771: see

fadecy

Why all the lessening of this tragedy?

Don't see it as a disabled person losing their PS3, see it as a fellow gamer losing their PS3. That is the true tragedy here.

Any plans yet to band together and replace this guy's system? Would be a pretty good fundraiser here.

Captain_Collide

@Enn:
Yeah but I think it's the fact that it was also given by charity.

Plus all burglers are bastards. That could have been a kids console. Who had to save up his pocketmoney to buy it.
Which would have been 10 times worse.
I'm sure enough people will take pity on this guy and donate the money to get him another one.

Burglers only think of themselves... V_V

fadecy

Well despite stealing being bad in general, it is slightly worse to steal from the disabled boy since due to his condition he would most likely enjoy it more.

Gestahl

Is there some sort of paypal where we can all donate a little money to get him a new one?

pd771

@dMek:
Really?

elevenoverzero

@Kid-A: They're bastards for stealing, not for stealing from a disabled individual. What I find curious is that they leave out the details as to how the house was broken into. I really hope they didn't make some foolish mistake, because if they did, explaining a few simple preventative steps could help some people out (if they had an alarm system that didn't activate, for instance).

Poisonous Taoist

Yeah, had my original PS1 (way back in the days) stolen by some neighbors. ****ing thieves. Only thieves allowed are the cute fuzzy ones like ferrets and raccoons. Then it's sokay, because we want them because they're shiny, not because of $$$.

Salen

Poor kid. If only there was a way for Sony to brick the console when it goes online, or better yet, track the location of the connection back to the thieve's home.

Green-clad Gamer Dude

The situation definitely makes it more sad but regardless of who it happens to thief's are scum.

its sad that you live in a world where you can't even feel safe in your own home~

ninjikiran

@Poisonous Taoist: Good point, to look at it another way. Is it any less of a crime to steal from an able bodied person?

Oh, and they're bastards!

Kid-A

Man that really sucks.

If they tried to hook it up couldn't sony technically track it? if they connect it to the internet? hey we have this guy signing in on this PSN at this IP address, trace it and shazam?

Zaos

@ChunkOFunk: Ooops, that was a bit insensitive, not paralyzed, but confined to a wheelchair. SORRY!

ChunkOFunk

You forgot to mention that the thieves who stole the goods were involved in a high speed car accident whilst fleeing from the scene. They suffered spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis from the neck down.

Karma.

dMek

Damn, son, that sucks. I really feel sorry for the guy. Having my consoles stolen from me before, I can kinda relate, of course, I'm not paralyzed, so I can't say much at all.

ChunkOFunk

@Enn: I agree. I myself was confined to a wheelchair for a time in my youth, but my parents didn't suddenly decide to stop locking doors and windows because of that. Their house got broken into because they made the same mistakes a regular family would have.

Poisonous Taoist

@Enn: It's not but it makes the situation a little more sad.

Fox

Bet he'd be wishing Sony had went with the boomerang design for the controller.

... Sorry.

Zero_

There is a special spot in hell reserved for people that break in to people's houses steal games, is near the pederasses and people that bring their loud ass kids to the movies with them.

oddgit

Wow, that's too bad. And not just the PS3, but other valuables.

Now I'm in no one blaming the victims here but it just shows the often underestimated importance of home security. Of course, I don't know their situation either...

Well, best of luck to them. Hope they are able to replace most of their stuff.

Fox

@Poisonous Taoist: That is the point. What does it matter that the kid was disabled, the fact is that they stole period.

@SigmundTheSeaMonster: Yeah the sis is stroke worthy.

DavidTheMan

Seriously thats one of the saddest things I've seen this week. I don't think it would be out of order for Child's Play or some other organization to send this kid another PS3, cause this is just shitty as hell.

DaiMacculate

How is this 'lower' than normal stealing? That thief probably didn't know. It's a shame for the victim, but getting more angry at the thief because the victim is handicapped is irrational.

Enn

Messed up thieves. But cute sister!

SigmundTheSeaMonster

I have to play devil's advocate here and ask;

Would it have been better if they changed their mind and stole a PS3 from a non-disabled person's house?

Poisonous Taoist

@Coors Light is God: I doubt they would have cared anyway.

Eltigro

BASTARDS!

(hope they get caught, or mangled in some freak accident)

Shandy706

If this gets enough press, people with money to spare will replace it for him.

Blind_Evil

THe thieves probably didn't know the owner of it was disabled but damn, thats really really low.

Coors Light is God

Gotta love the world in which we live.

<3 you all

Master Saji

holy crap!!!

I i ever found whoever did that... I would PWN THEM SOOO HARD!!

Flurp

some people are just bound to burn in hell, and these pieces of trash thieves are heading there.

tokyoshi

@Centy: You and all the rest of the people saying "they didn't know he was handicapped" or "why does it matter that he was handicapped?" have very little understanding of justice in Western countries. We live in a victim-centric society. That's why child rape is worse than rape--children are seen as more vulnerable and defenseless. And that's why even if the perpetrator didn't know it was a child, it doesn't matter. It's based on a system of morality, not some illusory "rationality" or whatever you guys are saying.

Jeez. I mean, we all have our libertarian phases, but intelligent people grow out of it by 18 at the latest. Everyone else votes Ron Paul.

ratzofftoya

@DavidTheMan: how long do you think this poor kid has left?

invictus2006

@DavidTheMan:

Looking at his comment history, he'll not be greatly missed.

phicaluk

@DavidTheMan:
Making fun of disabled people puts you above the sloth on scale of intelligence.It's not funny.

enewtabie

Well, that's a pretty shitty thing to happen to the kid. Is there really a need to have a fundraiser though? Won't their insurance spring for a new console?

phicaluk

Wow, ban a guy for cracking a joke? Wow Witzbold, you don't think that is overdoing it.

DavidTheMan

@Finklestone: BANNED

Whos next?

Witzbold

In all fairness though whats the difference between this and stealing from anyone else. I feel sorry for anyone who's lost valuables from theft but I shant be getting out my tiny violin yet.

Any sensible person has home contents insurance and will get a new PS3 in a few weeks all he's really lost is a couple of weeks of gaming.

Centy

@Finklestone: You, sir, are a douchebag.

aphex242

@Everyone saying "the thieves didn't know" - really? At the very least, I'm guessing the house was fully handicapped accessible, and there was at least 1 extra wheelchair in the house.

Jakuub

@Finklestone: either you didnt read the article or you're simply a fucking asshole.

y2julio

@Finklestone: your a dick hope you die a slow and painful death

invictus2006

If Kotaku decides to help out a fellow gamer, I wouldnt mind donating a couple of bucks to help him get a new PS3.

y2julio

I wonder if the theives got the idea while playing GTA IV........

EndwaterAngry

@pd771: Agreed. This is sad. I've been able to meet one person with this same disease. They truly value the little things in life, so a PS3 must have been his prize of the decade.

Thankfully the guy wasn't attacked or home when it happened.

[sarcasm]Such a great world we live in. [/sarcasm]
~19

Black_Ops_19

@sbrumm1983: Sony is losing money on the PS3

garytek

This will make me cry.

Willy105

I don't know about you guys but I just e-mailed Sony Australia about the report and sent them the link. I don't know if they will even read it, but I figure if you are all so inclined you might want to do the same. Maybe if enough people send them an e-mail they will fix the problem. It took me 3 minutes. Get to it people.

sbrumm1983

@KM91:

No, I just mean how he's saying the kid is a little overweight. You can't really blame him for being so.

AceScope

@dMek: It doesn't say anything about that >_>

Norellicus

@pd771: Seconded. Think the gaming community can band together to make sure this kid gets a new PS3? Even if it's just our little community, I'd love to donate a couple bucks if Kotaku set up a paypal or something.

Kupocore

@Coors Light is God: I agree, this seems to be a random break in and unfortunately the kid happened to be disabled. Sad story, please tell me they caught the jerks.

Beatboxtaun

That is just wrong, but I doubt that they would've known that he was disabled, though.

@AceScope: Remember, the Wii has been used in hospitals for patients in rehab.

KM91

I wrote you guys how my home was broken into a year or so back and very simular stories. Missing ps3, plasma tv, jewelry. You guys didn't post my sad story. Granted I'm not crippled but still was a sad day of my life. Anyway...hope this guy gets a new ps3.

karateka

@Finklestone: you're the thief aren't you!?

shade-black

No trophies for Zak

commanderdeek

@Finklestone:

He's disabled, and confined to a wheelchair. I don't think that makes him the best person to do physical activity.

AceScope

@Coors Light is God: You're kidding right? Thieves actively seek out elderly and helpless people.

fire ze missiles

Something tells me it wouldn't take very long to buy him a PS3 and every game available if we started a little fund raiser. I'm pretty sure it would work out very well.

sbrumm1983

I hope the thieves are dumb enough to play online using his account, then to send him a message from his own account, at which point Kotaku will be notified of this moronic action, posts it (Digg will follow shortly), and the internet comes to his rescue. *remembers dumb Xbox thief*

UAZim

I am not afraid to admit that after I read that I had a serious lump in my throat. I had my 360 stolen and a bunch of rare/semi-rare PS2 games as well, and I wasn't really bummed out because I have homeowners insurance. But this is completely different. My stuff is one thing, but this is atrocious.

jBusiness

This is a sad story. I wish more people would consider the implications of their actions when they choose to steal from others. But hopefully, the attention that is being brought to this story will allow people to donate money -- or another PS3 -- to help this guy out.

DugDawg

Hell, I've got an extra-PS3 - Who would I need to talk to about sending one his way?

kosbee

@Eltigro:

Heh, yes mate..

Zero_

Kotaku!

Start a charity within Kotaku! I will definitely contribute my money to getting Zak a new PS3. We are gamers and we need to help other gamers!

V.Volker

This pissed me off so much.

But yea, his sister is pretty attractive.

Kanoopy

@DavidTheMan: *makes another tick on the dashboard*

Witzbold

Man, thats not right.

Gray665

@garytek: They may be losing money on the system, but you could consider this very very inexpensive PR.

sbrumm1983

I'd kill them if I ever saw them after that.

Kanadwen

@BebopBlue: how is he gonna send him a message in-xmb, when the kid lost his PS3?

is it really that early in the morning?

zanzibarlegend

ffs, is there any way we can get in contact with them and help chip in to help buy him a new one?

phil2dot6

This is one of those times where we need some good ol' fashioned vigilante justice.

Absent Blue

That is so sad, i wonder if i can make a donation to them to help buy him a new PS3. im gona go find out! GAMERS UNITE!

Jackel2072

@DavidTheMan: that was just a plain stupid old comment.

news flash to commenters on kotaku.

cross the line with stupid comments, and you will be banned. end of story.

@Witzbold: you're gonna have your hands full on this post. hopefully the idiot factor is low.

a crime is a crime no doubt (trust me i know how he feels,i lost NES,SNES,GENESIS,N64,PS1,and PS2 games, with the only thing left from the thieves was my NES, and Genesis,but they made off with at least over 400 games)

lets be frank, disabled or not, stealing from a child is wrong. and the problem with crime is.. that when you commit robbery, you don't know the impact you leave behind. you don't know the history of the person your hurting in the process, which is why crime sucks period. knowing what the kid is going through... my heart goes out to him.

@DavidTheMan: if you wanna follow this dude's lead go on right ahead. but you have been warned.

zanzibarlegend

Shoot, someone needs to set-up a fund raiser or something.

@invictus2006:
From Wikipedia: "The average life expectancy for patients afflicted with DMD varies from early teens to age mid 30s. There have been reports of DMD patients surviving past the age of 40."

He seems teen-ish now, so he could live for another 30+ years.

I know someone who has a type of MD and they are in their 20's and aren't in a wheelchair yet. It affects everyone a little differently I suppose.

Ravioli_Sumo

@DavidTheMan: Dude, I think that girl is all but 12. So watch what you say, m'kay? It might come off as a bit creepy...or at the most innocent, blind.

vanderblade

@Poisonous Taoist: Exactly, thieves are bastards no matter who they steal from.

Kid-A

Damn that sucks, well theives don't care who you are as long as you got stuff they want to steal, bastards that they are

excel_excel

Hopefully the thief will send a message to the original owner through the new in-game xmb talking about how he ganked his ass. Then we'll be able to figure out who he is, goto his myspace, listen to his crappy rhymes, and call him in the middle of the night.

BebopBlue

I had my 50inch Plasma stolen about 2 months ago, certainly a shit feeling to know someone could have touched anything in your house and you will never have any idea. Poor kid's had a bad run in life but the 21st century isn't much for justice, if it was the thief would be in for some major bad Karma, like falling into a 20 foot ditch and not being able to get out or something.

Hopefully the Make A Wish foundation find out about this and replace his PS3 for him, they do great work and I'm sure they wouldn't think twice.

@Poisonous Taoist: You would hope they had no idea he was disabled, otherwise they mustn't have souls.

el_rezzo

Man that sucks. Poor kid. That had to have really made him upset considering that he already was having a bad week with not getting to go to that rugby game or whatever. Well the good thing about these stories is that since they get so popular and are in the public eye so much, chances are someone will donate a PS3 and some games if the foundation doesn't do it.

CCCombobreaker

@Coors Light is God: still doesn't make it right...

almattitude_v1

its people like these that deserve to burn in hell

then maybe when i buy diablo 3 i can go into its depths and beat the dead daylights out of them

Mr.Sad

@EnigmaNemesis:

Yeah, I agree with you about karma. It tends to come full circle in the end.

DugDawg

@DaiMacculate: if a big name organization sends him another one they are going to get publicity for it. So don't you think that the thieves would see the news and break in and get themselves another free ps3? I'd be willing to donate a few bucks toward him getting a new one.

Dr.Fondler

@Wulfenlord: I think I heard that in a Carlos Mencia routine I saw completely on accident once. There are three key liberal values: procedural equality, background equality, and liberty. If a person has a disability, you can't rely on procedural equality (the blind fairness you're talking about) to guarantee rights--you have to make up for background inequality by granting extra rights. Which is why people must be treated "special" in certain cases. Also, many people aren't calling for the death penalty, but are wishing death upon the people who stole the PS3. Big difference.

ratzofftoya

Don't matter if they didn't know if he was disabled or not, It's still wrong in the end. Such fools.

Kimiko

I'll get a couple of games for him or cash for a PS3. Link the fund the paper or the somewhere we can deposit this or mail it!

V.Volker

If they have contact details for the family, I'd most certainly donate a couple of bucks towards him getting a new one.

Spew

@kosbee:

I have a brand new unopened MGS4 that came with the PS3 I got (I bought the collectors anyhow).

Was going to eBay it, but I am willing to donate it if we can get an organized list going.

EnigmaNemesis

Man, talk about some douchebags. Absolutely deplorable.

mkernan

Oh :/ Thats really bad...

bubble-bee

@Wulfenlord:

And sometimes things are more hurtful, regardless of "monetary" or not.

It is an emotional loss, and there was more than just a PS3 taken... family valuables, and appliances were as well.

Get a life Stone Cold... seriously.

EnigmaNemesis

@kosbee: cool, would like to send a game or 2

invictus2006

Karma will get the theives. Some people just really need to be taught a lesson. I don't understand how some people could go to sleep at night knowing (in this case) that the PS3 they are playing on was obtained through stealing. Karma!

Naia

@zanzibarlegend: You've been messaged. I'll have to check back on everything later. I've gotta' make like a fetus and head out (for work that is.)

kosbee

What the moralists and online-toughguys here fail to understand is that he didn't even pay for his PS3, so there is no real monetary loss.
Being treated 'special', not equal, and denying human rights by implicating the death sentence on the 'monster thief' doesn't help anyone but your ego

Wulfenlord

@kosbee: i could get a used game from ebgames. pm me you email addy. i can donate a game if anything.

zanzibarlegend

Im gonna find his PS3

and get extra points from his sister... :D (Gosh I do hope thats his sister)

Leepox

@man_in_gauze wonders who watches courage the cowardly dog n...: hey dude can't bring yourself down. enjoy your ps3 mah friend. i know things will look up for zak. hopefully a fund is started, i will def sign up.

off topic, did u get the mGS4 bundle?

zanzibarlegend

I've emailed Luke and the newspaper itself. I'd be willing to donate a PS3. If anyone might have games to send. We could scrape a pretty nice pile together I'm sure.

kosbee

@Ravioli_Sumo: still not that long

invictus2006

Civilization fail. :( This is pretty depressing. As I read this article, teh mail people rang the doorbell, meaning that my PS3 has arrived. Somehow, I'm less ecstatic about it, now.

man_in_gauze wonders who watches courage the cowardly dog nowadays, anyway? :(

I'm figuring out how to start a fundraiser.

jBusiness

Disgusting ... good ole Karma will surely catch up to these asshats anyhow.

EnigmaNemesis

Has anyone Dugg this yet?

V.Volker

just when you thought human kind can't fall any lower...
I'd buy him 2 new PS3's if I could.

Vargas

Wow this is fucked up.

EzeeT

It's not about the fact that he's "disabled", it's about the fact that he has a tough lot in life already, and that PS3 was a token of others' generosity.

If somebody were to say that it's worse to steal from an orphan than a rich person, it's not because the rich man deserves to be stolen from (the man's character notwithstanding). However, the rich man can absorb the loss and bounce back, whereas the orphan has already had more tragedy in his life than a child should have.

Tiber

Welcome to the real world... I really feel for that guy :(

Anyway, his sister is a cutie! <3

Tommyknocker

@ManekiNeko: There aren't many thieves that don't suffer from that unfortunate affliction.

Major0celot

@Mega-Driven: I was hopeing for the same thing, i tought maybe kotaku could set up an account just to make sure everything goes well, if we all give half of what we spend on regular day we would be able to get him even a xbox 360 or some 32" HDTV

mp3

Jeeesus, just read the article. "Mum! They took me Playstation!!"

This guy gets it doubly, because he is Australian- dont they always get screwed by release dates, costs, etc.?

To top it off, last week he was supposed to go meet his favorite (rugby) team, and couldn't- BECUASE HIS WHEELCHAIR BROKE

Mega-Driven

Is there a paypal account set up yet? I will give $20US off the rip. Let's drop a huge PS3 bomb on this young dude with all our names on it.

Mega-Driven

Sounds like some douchebags need to get hit by a truck.

FLYBOY611

Come one Kotaku give us an account, if we all donate at least $1 we can get him a PS3, and since you kotaku always give gifts to us in competitions you should give him few games. Come on lets do that, this is our chance to do something good because i bet most of us are layze to go and do some kind of charity.

LETS HELP THIS KID!!!
HELP US KOTAKU SO WE CAN HELP HIM!!!

mp3

@Coors Light is God: Even if they did, you honestly think they'd give a shit?

Honestly?

DarkTetsuya

Wow. Sounds like the thieves suffer from duchenne bag syndrome.

ManekiNeko

you gotta be a freaking scum bag to do that

Gon

@karateka: The reason why this gets more of our outrage than for you is because people who are not disabled are better able to fend for their damn selves. You can get of your ass and get a job and replace your PS3 - he can't.

Ass.

Turtlestack

I agree that it's extremely low, but who's saying this was an intentional, personal crime? A PS3 could be stolen from anyone else's house and we wouldn't have the same kind of uprising. I'm just saying, this might be a crime of convenience, a coincidence.

Gambitmo

It's unfortunate, but bad things happen to people with disabilities too. Man that just sucks.

TheHun

@DavidTheMan: "stroke worthy"

She looks like she's 12! So that's a NO.

Shandy706

Looks like we could put together a pretty good ps3 system for this guy if we could get organized.

I'd gladly put out the cost of a game (60?) to help this dude out.

If anyone gets anything together, let me know. I'll be at the front of the line to donate.

RamV10

Awww...the poor theif didn't know he was stealing from a handicapped person. If only they knew they would not have done it there. They would skip that house and get the ps3 from the kid next door who isn't handicapped. Fuck this, what is this? It doesn't matter who the theif steals from, It's just wrong to steal period.

A story here in Houston: a man calls the police as he witness 2 black men robbing his neighbor's house. He tells the police that he is going to shoot them. He did, kills both of them. Recently, the court finds him not guilty for killing the 2 robbers, the wife and family of the deceased is outraged. Civil leaders are questioning whether this was a fair trial. My opinion, they got what they deserver.

karateka

I hope somebody sets something up for this kid so he can get another PS3. I got $5 on it.

DontTouchMyDaughterYouFilthyGaijin

You know if there is an after life those SOBs are going straight to hell...and they are going to get raped by the tree from evil dead forever...and ever... and ever....

BR4DL3I9H

@Wulfenlord: Are you honestly upset about reading responses of disgust about this? Are you some kind of pro-theivery advocate with a penchant for insane justification?

And if you refer to "moralists and online-tough guys" with such disdain, what does that make you? An immoral coward? The thought of people getting a little bit of faith by of giving the same to others...does that truly bother you?

I've given you the attention you clearly crave, now provide me with real answers.

@kosbee: Bless you.

MightyHealthy

Kotaku bands together i feel his pain my apt was broken into 2 yrs ago stole my xbox 360, laptop, tv and so on thank god i had insurance i got all ma stuff new.

Thieves are retards i hope they get caught

slyzxx786

Over 6,000 views, enough talk, let's just do this:

I've set up a chip-in

[ps3forzak.chipin.com]

topaz420

Wow. If anyone ever needed to be sent to PMITA prison...

Arklop

And my mom tells me I need to have more faith in people...

@Zaos:

That's pretty much how Microsoft tracks down stolen 360 dev/test kits.

Bricked

My dad (well, step dad, but whatever) has MD. While I do agree that the thieves probably didn't know -- although more than likely the kid was on the newspaper, or tv news since Make-A-Wish donated that PS3 -- it greatly saddens me.

What saddens me more are some of the comments I've read here.

This kid won't have very long to use the PS3. MD is a disease that slowly deteriorates the connection between your muscle and brain, so you slowly lose your arms, legs, and eventually involuntary organs (heart, lungs)strenght, and your muscles atrophy. Unless he's got a rare type of MD, things will go downhill for that kid *fast*.

Unlike some other diseases, MD has no treatment, no way for it to ever get any better. It might go into resession for a few months, but even then things will go downhill. From the picture that's posted, I can tell he won't have use of his hands for long.

So yeah, where do we go to donate?

Jehuty

Wow, I think people in his community or his parents should opt to get him another one, because that's complete bull.

RomieYO

@julians: Now it does :D. We've got ... 1%. All together now.

julians

Well I chiped in but the silly widget doesn't show it, only my comment. And it makes me look like a dick that's just talking and not walking. Oh well maybe paypal needs time to send them the cash.

julians

So what, we "donating" or "chipping in"? I don't have anything PS3 related to donate cause I don't have a PS3. But i'd be willing to send some money...

Mini-Boss

Sad story, but for everyone saying 'we could chip in and buy him a new one, oh kotku set up and account...' i never really tried it buy I suppose you could just 'chip in' to the charity that originally gave him his ps3 and just send them an email about this break-in.
On another note I doubt those bastards are gonna play it themselves more likely they'll just sell it to somebody.

Ok. serious sfuff out of the way. Now then...
imagine if he didn' ask for ps3 but x-box and it redringed on his ass. Man that'd be just as sad.

Having said that. I'm off to chip in.

julians

Dude. People that steal shit - in the real world, not when you're doing the stealing in a digital world (and that excludes getting hacked on MMO's) - really fucking annoy me.

Some kids I know, some low shady douchebag moved in with them for a month or two and slowly stole reams of their stuff.

Not cool, man!

Stealing from the disabled is extra non-cool points.

sir_carrot

@topaz420: Thanks for setting something up. I've tried contacting the Daily Telegram for the author contact info as well as the family involved. I'll post any new findings here.

phil2dot6

You sure the thugs werent the ones that were disabled? I mean, they do know they just stole a PEE-ESS-THREE NOT a Three-six-tee!

RocketChump

I've sent the chip-in link to the powers-that-be here at Kotaku. Hopefully they'll post it as an "official" story, at which point we'll hit 100% in a couple of days, I'm sure.

I'm in for $20, that's all I can afford at the moment :(

topaz420

@oddgit: If you are a thief, you are already society's scum, so... thanks for ensuring everybody of your social status.

gencid

@karateka: Oh my God. That Houston guy was an abomination, and he should get life in prison.

ratzofftoya

I couldn't find any contact info on the person who wrote the article ( Kate Sikora, Health Reporter ). If anyone does get in contact or sets up anything post where we can send donations.

Vesci

@DavidTheMan:
"Stroke worthy?" Jesus Christ, talk about immature. >___<

I feel sorry for the kid. It would suck for anyone to lose something (that's probably) so important to them.

.em.

Digg started too --

[digg.com]

topaz420

That's a really sad story. I wish I could help in some way...

nautnaut

I dont care if they didnt know the teen is disabled, this is just so bad and I wish the guys who did this get caught!

HELLSRIDER

Awww man...that seriously sucks. Can Kotaku make things right for this kid?

robnubis

Hey guys,

I think it's nice that you guys started a charity for this unlucky guy. I found the contact information but cannot call while I'm at work atm (Plus I'm not sure how to call an Australian phone call)

Can any Aussie call them for the contact info?

The Daily Telegraph
2 Holt Street
Surry Hills, NSW, 2010.
Telephone: (02) 9288-3000.
Fax: (02) 9288-2300.
news@dailytelegraph.com.au

Trojita

@krushjudgement: This is why I heart being a N3rd

DarthWind

@topaz420: Awesome dude. I'll give my bro some casharoonski later & get him to slap it up there with his PayPal. (my e-mails DarthWind@gmail.com) keep me updated :] & if you need anything or want to float some ideas around just... whatev, lol.

I'll just keep checkin back here =D

DarthWind

This is why I'm going into law enforcement.

krushjudgement

@DarthWind:

We have already set-up a ChipIn for this cause and we're 7% of the way there in just 1 hour!

[ps3forzak.chipin.com]

topaz420

Poor guy.

AuthenticM

@kosbee: Wow dude, generous. I could help with a few bucks for shipping or a game...

DarthWind

@mp3: Dude I'm down for that, someone here @ Kotaku should contact the family & setup a Paypal. We could handle everything from the cost to a few games. I didn't think about it but dudes right, if we all donate even a dollar we could get him a PS3 & MGS4. I'll slap a $5 spot on that. (I'd try to do more with the contacts & setup but I'm only 17 so PayPal hates me)

P.S. Something else that would be cool is if someone drew the Kotaku logo on the front with a silver sharpie & with the PS3 we send him a piece of paper with all our user names on it... Just as a nod to those who donated.

DarthWind

Stroke worthy? heh, that's... something else.

She does look... not old enough for THAT kind of comment.

Glad to hear that many of you guys are so willing to help this old chap out.
A couple even talked about sending him a whole PS3.
Now thats class.

Blast, I feel bad for having to play they 'I'm poor, this isn't even my computer, and I need more food card.' But... we all have our own issues.

Good thing to know that he will, most likely, get a new PS3. I hope he gets a ultra pimped out one. Perhaps the gunmetal one with an enormous harddrive and all kinds of stuff on it. Perhaps even recorded videos of his favorite rugby team.
That would be slick.

SadSadSamus

If I ever found out who did that I would personally break there legs with a baseball bat & break-out a few teeth while I'm at it... Come the F on! Who could stomach doing something life this! I wish I had money I'd help that dude out. I'll pray for you dude (even though you probably won't see this) & I hope all gets resolved. Power to the Player Aussie Gamer Dude. Much love from a fellow N3rd in the states.

DarthWind

@ratzofftoya:

I am well aware of the how the judicial system works in the west being that I live here. But what you said doesn't make sense child rape is ofcourse worse than the same crime commited against an adult. Of course it is the child has no idea what happened or any real understanding of why or what. There is no difference between this kid getting robbed and if I got robbed the only difference is I wouldn't get so much damn sympathy.

Look at it that way people who are hadicapped or of a different race or gender are always moaning about being treated fairly well this is hardly fairly. The 16 year old who was stabbed for his PS3 gets more sympathy since he's fucking dead this kid just has to wait on the insurance coming through and then bingo no more problem. If they stole his respritory machine or something like that then fair enough till then he's just another robbery statistic who happens to have got it turned into a "news story".

Centy

@TheHun: "It's unfortunate, but bad things happen to people with disabilities too."

...Yeah, like being disabled.

sandwiches

Man this is depressing. We really should try and band together to help this guy out.
This made me laugh a bit though.
[i32.tinypic.com]

Zankurou

Is there a plce were we can find out if this is dealt with yet,as in he has a new PS3 donated by someone,if not WHY THE FUCK ISN'T KOTAKU LEADING THE CHARGE USING US.Why not use your influence luke(no capitol,not an accident)to use OUR money and generosity to get him a new one.Add a line suggesting we the community band together and get him some new shit at the end and i bet both my balls in 30 mins we got it wrapped up.Braindead man,braindead

xIvSlowDeath420

@xIvSlowDeath420: Exactly, I think less about the disability & more about how he almost literally has given his life's existance to gaming. He got to practically get anything he wanted in the world & he decided that his passion & the thing that makes him happy is gaming & if MGS4 makes him forget even 4 a bit that he is disabled & just makes him happy... then everyone bitchin needs to STFU!!!

@pandafresh: We have a ChipIn fund going [ps3forzak.chipin.com] you can e-mail me for more info DarthWind@gmail.com

DarthWind

There are pretty tell tale signs a person in a wheelchair lives in a home mine is the pretty obvious ramps since my house was not initally handicap friendly. This is really low of a person on all levels cause you took a persons damn make a wish. I hope they find the dudes who stole everything and they are forced to realize who they stole from.

TheNexusRebound

thats a real shame, i didnt read all the posts since im at work, but im willing to donate some money to replace his ps3.

pandafresh

@Centy: Its not about whether he's retarded,legless,dickless or w/e else,its about a gamer with no other means to game.
I'm no Sherlock Holmes,but i guess that if he used his i got fucked at birth wish to get a PS3 instead of beam himself around the world to the tune of 10 or 20 grand,that he has no way to attain another through financial means,possibly including being able to pay insurance premiums.

xIvSlowDeath420

I'm going to finish up some work & head-over to Blockbuster to rent the Hellboy game & when I get back I'll donate the rest of my $$$ & call Zak on behalf of us all, k guys :) & if newb commenters haven't seen it yet [ps3forzak.chipin.com]

DarthWind

@DavidTheMan: His sister is stroke worthy? Can I just be the first to say ewww. For one thing she looks to be about 13, for another thing that comment is so completely out of place given the context. So inappropriate and I'm really offended. I'll overlook that comment most places because I do understand that this site is essentially like a locker room to some of you guys and it honestly doesn't offend me most of the time, but shit man. That was just vulgar and going against common decency.

ConstantCupcake

That's some despicable behavior.

Technically Sony should be able to track the PS3 if he's registered it. Each one has it's own unique hardware identifier which can be identified by PSN when they log in. The IP address can be identified by the ISP & the local police can investigate from there.

I doubt the thief is going to try to game through proxies.

string_theory

This wouldn't have happened in Texas!

GorbyGipper

@fadecy: Except for Robin Hood.

Furious_Liver

@string_theory: Except NO ONE CARES besides us of-course. Do you REALLY think the police are going to be like HOLY SHIT WE HAVE TO FIND HIS PS3 WHAT A POOR YOUNG BOY!!!! ...No, they're going to hope the parents have homeowners insurance (or whatever it's called) finish up there paper-work & go home. I bet most of those retard cops don't even know what an ISP is, or Sony for that matter.

DarthWind

@DarthWind: Sony might care because this story has press. If it didn't have press, you're right they wouldn't. But the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

string_theory

Hrmm, I sent the fundraiser link and CC'ed all the Kotaku editors, still no response.

topaz420

@string_theory: Barely any press...

DarthWind

Some incredibly generous person just shot us up to 15%!

I also wrote to Child's Play to let them know what we're doing, since they're experts in these types of kind deeds

topaz420

i have never had a reason to buy or donate a PS3, BUT this could be what makes me help pad the PS3 numbers. i am not only willing to help with a new PS3 for Zak, but i am ready to throw in cash to find those assholes who swiped his games. how can i help?

watertower

We also might want to consider raising a little more money if possible. It sounds like he doesn't have the best wheel chair either.

sbrumm1983

@DarthWind: I sent an e-mail to Sony Australia. I think if a lot of people did it they might really pick things up.

sbrumm1983

@zanzibarlegend: Yeah, I'll see what I can do, too. And yep, I picked up a bundle-within-a-bundle, actually; a MGS4 bundle with an extra Dualshock 3 and an HDMI cable. Thanks. :)

man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.

There is a special ring of hell for those steal from or mockc the disabled.

Herabec

I've sent emails to Make-A-Wish International and Australia, as well as the newspaper linked on Plunkett's original post. No response yet, but I'd expect to hear something within the next day or so.

I've got a LE Metal Gear 40GB that I'd be willing to send his way - the only thing I opened was the game (since I had to have a copy of MGS4 to play a few weeks back.) =P Others here have shown an interest in providing games or funds from their own collections and pockets.

It also looks like some here have started a PayPal fund. Either way - If you're interested in helping, just drop me a PM and I'll get around to letting everyone know what I hear via email.

IF I don't have a response within a few days by email, then I'll call the Australia branch of Make-A-Wish and see where that leads.

kosbee

Fundraiser Update: We're at 25% in 1/2 a day, with NO publicity -- Let's keep going Kotaku-ites!

topaz420

Hey this breaks my heart to read this story! I can send a game his way so Darthwind and/or Kosbee PM me and I will get it done.

and please if you can, donate everybody!! :)

LoneRico

@PSWii60-14:
Member Since: July 3, 2008
Banned: July 3, 2008

topaz420

drop dead you assholes!

PSWii60-14

Well Kotaku has so many news stories every day that this is already on the third page :(

I've emailed Luke Plunkett, the author of this story, to ask him to please post a news story that we raised $315 in less than one day with NO help!

topaz420

Seems like will to help slowly died out. Shame.

julians

I'm still waiting for a reply from those places I emailed. If nothing there, I'll call in a couple of days. Thought I'm not quite sure how to dial an Australian number... I keep getting error messages from Verizon. Punks.

kosbee

@topaz420: I could be wrong, but I assumed he was directing that comment towards the thieves and not the people collecting money. Whenever I look at the chip in page I just see the same 5% progress I saw the first time I looked at the page. Anyway to fix that so I can see the actual progress?

rainking187

Who said they'd donate a PS3? I don't want to go look through all the freakin messages right now, I think it was kosbee? (maybe, lol) anyway whoever it was e-mail me at DarthWind@gmail.com because with your PS3 & the money we're going to raise I have almost everything planned out with the dude who setup the ChipIn & we already have $300+!!!

Anyways I'm actually about to call The Daily Telegraph right now so I'll update in a few minutes :)

DarthWind

Awesome so here's where I'm @... I just called 'The Daily Telegraph' & I got put through to Kate Sikora's desk (she wasn't there so I had to leave a message) but she's the Health Reporter who wrote the article. I should hear back from her soon & if I don't I'll be calling back tomorrow! :)

& kosbee it was A PAIN IN THE ASS to call Australia because you have to know A TON OF CRAP to call internationally.

You have to dial 011 then 61 then 2 then 92883000, ROFLMAO!

But I gotz it taken care of :) helping Zak really makes me feel good about myself... thought I'd share that.

Anyways since Australia is 14 hours after EST that makes it almost 1am where I am... time for some 360 action & sleep-sauce.

-Later Vader

DarthWind

BASTARDS

bersnake

these people will go to the 'Special Hell', the one that's reserved for child molesters and people that talk during opera.

furka

I may just end up donating some money along with everyone else. I'm not finding emails to be all that helpful.

kosbee

It would be nice if Kotaku reposted the message. Maybe Kotaku-AU can do that. And you can find someone there to call Australian no.

julians

@furka: Nice serenity nod.

ConstantCupcake

Well we're at $333 now, and I still haven't put in my part (I hope to do $50 but at least $25) -- looking forward to updates from Darthwind who seems to be our contact at the newspaper.

topaz420

@kosbee: Let us know if you get details. I am honestly hoping that people are waiting to make sure we can contact Zak's family before doing something.

Apparition29

This has made one of the biggest newspapers in the country. This time tommorow, he'll be swimming in PS3's, games and other pricey shit flung at him by opportunistic, mass-corporate electronic companies.

Plus, his sister is F.I.NE. I feel for the poor bastard, but his faith in society will be restored. We're good like that.

Moggo

@topaz240 Thanks for starting that up man, I put a few bucks in. considering how many people here have said they want to put money in, um surprised its only at 15 bucks... Hopefully we can put enough together to get this kid something nice

Grabnar

oh hells no! I'm a little strapped, but I got 15 bucks paypal I would be willing to donate... just get a link up there in the article or something so we can do this :P

Sansui

Hi Kosbee, that is very, very kind of you. I would be happy to donate some games for him.

jus227

Would everyone donate if he wasnt in a wheelchair? If some other kids PS3 gets nicked will they get their own article too?

CockneyKaiser

Please yourselves, but don't come crying to me with your sob stories when the kid keels over from a heart attack.

Finklestone_Lives

If there were a charity or something to get this kid a new PS3 I'd happily pitch in 20 bucks to help get him back on his way.

jerkstore30