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More robberies plague PS3 launch
Ohio EB Games raided by armed assailants who make off with five consoles; Connecticut man beaten and robbed of his system while other customers turned a blind eye.
Reports of PlayStation 3 launch-related crimes are mounting, and two more robberies related to the debut of Sony's next-generation console have surfaced.
Two men armed with handguns stole five PS3s from an Ohio EB Games store, Englewood Police Department Detective Alan Meade confirmed for GameSpot today. Meade said the two men entered the store around 9 p.m. Thursday night as a pair of employees were closing up and ordered them into the back storeroom. The robbers took the systems and left the store without incident.
Meade said that there were no other reports of PS3-related crimes in Englewood but that the incident has prompted the department to make preparations to prevent a repeat of the incident when the Nintendo Wii goes on sale this Sunday.
"We will certainly be keeping an extra watch on the places that will be selling these systems," Meade said.
A second incident emerged from Connecticut, where a man waiting in line for the PS3 was shot and hospitalized last night by two men armed with guns. This morning, a man leaving the Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester, Connecticut, was mugged by multiple assailants in the parking lot, according to Manchester Police Department Sergeant Chris Davis.
Davis said one of the criminals had been in the mall's EB Games when the victim purchased his PS3, then called his friends in the parking lot, who approached the man on his way to his car. In all, "four or five" men pushed the victim to the ground, grabbed the system, and fled in a nearby car. However, Davis said one of the suspects was pushed out of the car as it was leaving the scene; police apprehended him and are working to catch the rest.
An account of the incident on Sony Computer Entertainment America's official message boards purportedly posted by the victim makes a plea for someone with an extra system to offer it to him at a reasonable price.
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anyone wanna walk up to Sony headquaters and beat some people stupid for release 400,000 units NA alone. Also slap some sence in to them causing all this choas
Posted Nov 20, 2006 4:00 am PT
Lol, I love how the Nintendo Fans act all "O man, when I get my wii I'll be prepared!" Tough, Nobody would do jack over that thing, Demand isn't nearly as high - same with price.
Posted Nov 20, 2006 3:02 am PT
heh when it launches in australia im gonna hire security guards for my protection
Posted Nov 20, 2006 12:30 am PT
This just proves how god damn stupid some people really are. IT'S A VIDEO GAME SYSTEM THAT YOU MIGHT GET $1000 FOR. Why don't moronic minorites hang out outside a jewelry store and rob someone that just spent $20,000 on a ring. RETARDS
Posted Nov 19, 2006 11:00 pm PT
If I was in that line, I would've also brought a gun or knife or something to protect me. People can do some crazy things!
Posted Nov 19, 2006 9:29 pm PT
people should bring knives, guns, or any other form of protection when buying a new expensive item, such like a ps3.
if i got one and i had a gun and got mugged. i would simply blow one guys head open and send the others running.
it would be a different story though if they were holding guns though...
but thats how cruel this world is...
so buy your new game consoles a few weeks or months AFTER its release date. it's safer that way.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 9:13 pm PT
akuya32
Sad, but this is the world we live in. People get shot and die over shoes, jackets and now the Playstation 3. This is nothing new in the world we live in. Was there any problems last year when the 360 was launched? I can't remember. My Respnse: Actually yes....a woman held at gunpoint by two men....in front of her own house...why becasue she bought the premium system 360 for her 9 year old son...FOR CHRISTMAS!!!...i believed it happened here in Texas. if i find someting..ill post it.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 8:54 pm PT
Sad, but this is the world we live in. People get shot and die over shoes, jackets and now the Playstation 3. This is nothing new in the world we live in. Was there any problems last year when the 360 was launched? I can't remember.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:59 pm PT
Well, as we all saw on Friday, Sony has pretty much made their fanboys it's biotches. They got biotch slapped too. Completely pu**y whipped. They have them eating out of their hand. Thank you sir, may I have another. When they say jump, their fanboys ask "how high?" The same thing goes for EB/Gamestop. It's no different. Gamers are a captive audience when it comes to a place where they can buy and sell back used games (except for a few smaller stores and small chains, and the internet) I say hit them where it hurts. Buy the other systems (whether it be a 360 or a Wii) and a PSP, and load the PSP up with a whole bunch of free stuff. Oh yeah, and if at all possible, don't shop at Gamestop anymore.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:23 pm PT
"the victim makes a plea for someone with an extra system to offer it to him at a reasonable price. " f*** you im not the one who got shot
Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:06 pm PT
Imperial_Colone
"No one robbed over wii, why? Because it sucked and wasnt worth it "
No, it was because they are more civiliced people (not like you)
Posted Nov 19, 2006 4:57 pm PT
No one robbed over wii, why? Because it sucked and wasnt worth it
Posted Nov 19, 2006 4:53 pm PT
I think all console should have 3 launch dates for each system.. so people will expect if they miss the first launch they still have a chance.... Plus gamers and retailer will know what to expect later on when it come to it.. I heard someone telling me someone bought a PS3 for 7000 and now 15000 That just stupid.... You can buy a powerful PC that will out do all system....
Posted Nov 19, 2006 3:52 pm PT
@Irve
[QUOTE] hey people are being robbed blind on eBay over the Ps3 so why not on the streets. That said anyone willing to pay >$2000 for a cosole deserves to be parted with their money {/QUOTE]
You sir are are the same criminalistic mind that litters our world.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 3:27 pm PT
I think Sony planned on releasing only 400,000 units on opening day! You can't buy better coverage than this! What better way to say "HEY! People will kill (literally) for our console" God I love this world!
Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:27 pm PT
hey people are being robbed blind on eBay over the Ps3 so why not on the streets. That said anyone willing to pay >$2000 for a cosole deserves to be parted with their money
Posted Nov 19, 2006 9:58 am PT
Now a PS3 is selling for $15,000. So that was expected.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 9:50 am PT
Tylowill how about to stick to the subject. Ps3's being jacked.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 8:52 am PT
This is nothing new!! Crazy S*** like this happens all the time. It's just certain people aren't used to hearing about or seeing things like this. It probably happened with the PS2. Maybe not on launch day, but it happens.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 8:27 am PT
I am not a console fan, I play blazing fast beautiful PCs. (we have been hi-def for a long time) But my wife likes the PS2, but guess what? The DVD player is low quality garbage. As a profession i work with video codecs, and all DVD players decipher file types. AKA CODEC deCODER.
The old Sony player was slow at processing the Code to fit the analog signal, and not much better at the suedo-digital s-video signal. Even now after many changes to the hardware, there is still some nasty artifacting in the picture that you don't even see on commercial DVD players. SOOOOO...I have been hearing a lot of commotion about the blu-ray player on the PS3, but i still have my doubts. It took sony 4 times to get the DVD Codec bearable, a technology already established when PS2 launched. So i will choose not to trust them with this new technology. The PS3 is a computer, that is it. I have looked at the specs they are dumping into it, and I am super skeptical about Cooling. Computer run hot, especially Hard Drives, Memory, and Processors. When not cool you get a crash (cars do it to!) and it locks up. so the games look good the Blu-ray looks nice, but i need logistics people.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 7:52 am PT
yogidonnie, great response regarding the "national stereotyping". :thumbsup:
The only thing I'd say beyond that is, it's probably just as well the victim wasn't armed. While it is "believed" the perps weren't armed, that's not confirmed or certain. They could have been armed with knives, or anything.
Even if they weren't armed, it's possible the victim of this crime could have also become a subject of interest with local authorites if deemed he acted with unjustifiable force. There are safeguards people can take which do not have to involve arming ourselves. Like; having a friend or friends go with us, for instance. Or a family member. It's likely the suspect inside the store was looking for two things: someone purchasing a PS3 and that 'someone' being, in fact, alone.
Chances are, had the victim NOT been alone, they would have passed him right by and opted for someone who was. We take for granted just going to the store is a fairly mundane task; safe and secure. It's understandable that most don't even consider what *could* happen. But in circumstances like launches of hard-to-come-by game systems where reports of extremely low supply/high demand and reports of muggings are circulating (and know to happen from past launches), it's probably wise to not go alone. At least that might be a deterrent.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:11 am PT
Yeah!!! America needs to ban guns. After all, it worked so well on drugs.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:05 am PT
Somthing tells me that we won't see any problems like this with the launch of the Nintendo Wii. Unlike Sony, Nintendo has enough merchandise out there to meet the initial demand, so robberies, muggins, and shooting aren't going to be happening with the Wii.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:50 am PT
I would just like to know the average age of people making comments.Im a 34 year old man.Does anyone rember the Cabbage Patch?Grown women were fighting inline over a doll!Times are changing.I personly think the ps3 is worth the 600.00.I own 1 50 inch Sony lcd with a 700 watt onkyo 7.1 channel reciver.The ps3 is perfect for it.So what if launch titles sucked.You have a blue ray player.Great addition to my media center.Then when all the good games come out my system is complete.Ill have to wait till March or April so what.Do half of these people have a HDTV? Playstation has 2 game consels out.Sony must be doing something right.I only see Xbox 360. Ps3 Ps2 PsP.Sony rules but needs to think about what there going to do for there loyal customers.Just make it possible for poeple who want the game able 2 get it. SONY ALL THE WAY!
Posted Nov 19, 2006 4:07 am PT
Yeah, I'm afraid I have to agree with our American friend. I'm sure far worse things are going to happen when we finally see the PS3 released here! You cant even take a walk through any British city after the sun sets without being threatened with a knife, or gun, and guns ARE banned here! (although we don't riot at football games as much as the Dutch/Germans/Italians/Polish/Turkish ect.)
And at least in the States they have a justice system and, if caught, the perpetrators will probably be punished, unlike here where they would be told they can keep the PS3 they stole if they say sorry and promise not to sue the copper who arrested him!!!!!
Sorry, rant over! I guess I'm just a bit p****d off that we've got to wait till march for a PS3!!!
Posted Nov 19, 2006 3:41 am PT
tawagivercetti said "Americans take the cake for stupidity. You bloody pshycos. Heres a tip ban guns."
Oh yeah the rest of the world is just sooo much better than us nasty Americans. We don't riot a soccer games like in England, have unemployment / student riots like in France, a very large and very violent racist skin head movement like in Germany, the genocide like in all of Africa, and all the kidnappings like in South America and the Middle East.
There are crooks and thugs all over this Earth. You need to look at your views and realize, you just judged 300 million people on the actions of less than 50-100 people. Come On! Also, about those cowards that robbed the guy of his Playstation, no guns where reported in that story. How would banning guns have done anything? And if the guy had been packing, those creeps would have left him alone and if they didn't, he would of had to do us all a favor and remove them from the gene pool.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 3:12 am PT
I bet Rockstar will put a new feature in GTA games where you can steal videogame consoles from people or stores and use them to play games, sell them on eBay, or bash people over the head with.
Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:55 am PT
Maybe we who like sony or nintendo should rebel and kill and crush all of those who threathen to take the PS3 or Wii that will be in our hand soon or maybe already is that way we could scare that thieves away and create a crime free world
but i won't help becaus our inperfectness is what makes us human but for you how don't want there PS3 or Wii stolen follow my plan
Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:03 am PT
i wish sony could do something for those unfornutate ones like the one in africa and in the drought crisis ova the afican sides
Posted Nov 19, 2006 12:52 am PT
"give me your ps3!"
"......i hope you brought an army b**ch, cuz' i just spent 600 on this and ive got the power of sony on my side! *hits thief over head with ps3*"
......yeah, thats how i would handle the situation
Posted Nov 18, 2006 11:32 pm PT
I made a comment earlier about, instead of the theives stealing from the EB and gamestop customers, they should be stealing from EB and Gamestop stores, and they should also be stealing from Sony. Both companies rip off their customers, and it would be nice to see them go down the tubes. Unfortunately, it is true. This comment was reported by someone, which in turn meant that it was deleted. I am guessing that it was reported by someone who either works for Gamestop/EB or Sony. Most people would not have a problem with my comment, unless they work for those stores. Cause us gamers know that they DO rip you off. What's the matter, afraid to admit it? Maybe he/she does work for them, and doesn't want to get let go when the company fails. (Don't worry, it's not going to. Even with my comment) It does not matter that the comment got deleted, because people who have been gaming for a long time, already know the truth. I challenge someone to open up another chain, and be fair to their customers. I know a lot of people who would walk across the street and go to the other store, if given the choice. So I see how it is for speaking the truth, and standing up for fairness and what you believe. You get shushed. If I ever hear of anyone ripping off an EB/Gamestop, I'm going to laugh my @$$ off. I don't steal, because I was raised better than that. As a Christian, I myself, would not do that. So please, someone else do it, so I can laugh really hard.
Posted Nov 18, 2006 11:13 pm PT
Wow, I am so glad to see we out grew the whole caveman thing.
Posted Nov 18, 2006 11:05 pm PT
Nice way too reaffirm human nature. We are an embarassment to animals everywhere!
Posted Nov 18, 2006 10:47 pm PT
This won't happen to people buying Wii because gangsters don't want a Wii, this just shows how crazy the PS3 crowd easy. It also shows that American stores need to smarten up and start handing out tickets.
Posted Nov 18, 2006 10:32 pm PT
poor guy, seriously! HOW COME! that's fiend! people save their $$$ and are robbed for a console! COME ON!
Posted Nov 18, 2006 10:27 pm PT
Just another area to get hit. Makes me feel pity for my future children.
Posted Nov 18, 2006 8:56 pm PT
THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING , WE`RE GONNA NEED A GUN IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SYSTEMS, (KIDDING).
Posted Nov 18, 2006 8:45 pm PT
Two men armed with handguns stole five PS3. thats BAD BUT WAIT A MIN SONY ROBBING US 999$ COME ON SONY WHO ROBBING WHO SONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Nov 18, 2006 7:52 pm PT
[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
Posted Nov 18, 2006 7:49 pm PT
Ban guns? that would make the situation worse not better. Without guns we wouldn't be able to protect ourselves from criminals, and it wouldn't stop them from getting them at all. They're already going to commit a crime like murder, or armed robbery what's to stop them from buying from the black market. we don't want to end up like some other countries.
Guns decrease crimes not increase them.
Posted Nov 18, 2006 7:23 pm PT
Juggernaut350 I have a question for you. Are you Satans brother or just
one of his lap dogs after his own heart? Greed! If you can't afford one IT is a toy! Its not a miracle medicine that will save your daughters life. It is a toy and you said something as wicked and STUPID as that? Blank you and your mom for having you.
Posted Nov 18, 2006 7:18 pm PT
My opinion about this is simple. It is neither Sony's fault or USA's fault. It is the decision of the dumba** robbers. We all have the choice to make these kinds of actions but most of us don't because of respect for each other. However, there are those of us who have no understanding of respect and hence cause a crime. Either way, I think the fault lies in the criminals and not Sony or USA.
Posted Nov 18, 2006 7:18 pm PT
SONY is at FAULT of course...
BUT HEY! Maybe if guns were illegal in America you would'nt have this **** happen at all. Put it into perspective here people when you line up with that kind of money you are a sitting duck. You can probably buy how many guns with you're PS3 money?
Americans take the cake for stupidity, I mean frickin hell.
CHILL THE **** OUT AMERICA
YOU BLOODY PSYCHOS!!
DON'T TAKE THE REST OF US TO HELL WITH YOU AND HERES A TIP BAN GUNS.
Posted Nov 18, 2006 6:12 pm PT
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