Crime is a constant feature of video games writing. Somewhere, someone is doing something illicit with them — sometimes comically stupid, sometimes tragic. Games and consoles are currency, objects of dispute, sometimes even weapons themselves. Kotaku‘s Police Blotter is here to round up the latest in games crime.
Disappearing Magic Act
SALINA, Kansas — Twenty-eight Magic: The Gathering cards, valued at $US1,236, were reported stolen from a parked car here yesterday. The victim, Bodie McKee of Hutchinson, Kansas, told authorities he had gone to his car several times while it was parked and that he may have left the vehicle unlocked. Some of the cards were unwrapped and some were in foil packs, authorities said, and at least one was signed by original Magic: The Gathering artist Rob Alexander. [The Salina Journal]
That’s Not How You Ask For Change at an Arcade
FORT WORTH — Police say a man who had been playing video games in a local game room was shot several times after he pulled out a gun and attempted to rob the place. The unnamed suspect managed to get cash from one of the game room employees and started for the door when another employee, responding to the commotion, whipped out his own gun and fired on the suspect. The suspect lived but was taken to the hospital; he faces a charge of aggravated robbery. [The Star-Telegram]
His Bail is $US400,000, Plus 10 per cent With the PowerUp Rewards Card
HARLINGEN, Texas — Authorities believe they have in custody a man responsible for a string of armed robberies of local GameStops and payday loan joints. Jose Luis Peña, 40, (pictured) is in jail on a $US400,000 facing multiple counts related to the holdup spree. [Valley Morning Star]
It was a Simple Plan
BRISTOL, England — Terry Chambers agreed to burglarize a friend’s house to help him with an insurance fraud scheme, but it all unravelled when Chambers broke into the wrong address. While there, Chambers stole “a £200 Xbox game console,” but left behind a rounders bat and a replica musket. From there, cops didn’t take long to connect the items back to Chambers and get a confession from him about the insurance caper. He’s blaming the mistake on the fact he was high on drugs. [The Bristol Post]
The Case of the PlayStation Predator
TAMPA, Fla. — Police have in custody a 36-year-old man local media is calling the ‘PlayStation Predator,’ who is said to have met a 14-year-old boy over PlayStation Network, flew to southern California to meet him, and then flew back to Tampa. Authorities were waiting for Tony McLeod at the airport when he landed, as the boy’s parents immediately suspected McLeod when their son didn’t come home from school. The parents had discovered messages McLeod had sent their son, including sexually explicit texts with pictures, and warned him to stay away. “When you go to a different state and you bring a 14-year-old boy back — and you’re an adult and the cops are waiting for you on the runway … I think the jug is up,” said Tampa police Maj. Brian Dugan. [WTSP-TV]
Lots of strange things happen in the pages of your local newspaper or on the 6 o’clock news. If you see something, say something. To me, that is. I’d like to write it up. Remember: You need not reveal your identity.
To contact the author of this post, write to owen@kotaku.com or find him on Twitter @owengood.
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