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Canadian judge confiscates problem child's Wii as bail

by David Hinkle { Nov 5th 2009 at 3:09PM }

This doesn't just happen in the movies, folks -- it also happens in Canada! Judge Marvin Garfinkle has agreed to release a rather problematic child on bail, granted he provides the court with his beloved console as collateral. The Winnipeg Sun reports that the 12 year old -- whose name has not been released -- has forked over his Wii and, among honoring court dates, must pledge to remain out of trouble, reside with his grandma and participate in a bail management program.

For being 12 years old, the kid certainly has acquired quite an adult-sized rap sheet over the last year, which includes assault, vandalism and even a case of disobeying court order by going to school when he wasn't supposed to.

[Via Yahoo]

Over 2000 GameFly games stolen by USPS worker

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 16th 2009 at 3:00PM }

It's no secret that there's some bad blood between GameFly and the US Postal Service but this ... this is personal. Philly.com reports that Reginald Johnson, a former Philadelphia mail handler, has admitted to a federal court that he stole 2200 GameFly games -- totalling $86,000 in value -- before they could be delivered to local subscribers.

Johnson was caught as the result of an investigation into missing GameFly mailings in the Philadelphia area, conducted by the USPS inspector general. The culprit was spotted during a 2008 test mailing under government surveillance, after which Johnson escaped in his SUV, crashed it, and then fled on foot with a duffel bag, which was later recovered. Between the bag and the SUV, authorities uncovered 160 games and a load of Wii Fit units, controllers, a Playstation and GameStop receipts. It would appear that Johnson had been trading the games at GameStop for store credit. He now faces up to 18 months in prison.

When contacted by Joystiq for comment, a GameFly representative stated that the company appreciates "the diligent efforts by the Office of Inspector General agents" to apprehend Mr. Johnson. Do you hear that? It's the sound of healing.

[Via GamePolitics]

Florida fugitive apprehended after attempting to steal DS games

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 27th 2009 at 7:30PM }

A loss prevention specialist in a Florida Wal-Mart bagged themselves quite the trophy shoplifter this past week -- a fugitive named Daniel Larson, who was wanted for violating probation after a 2006 armed robbery charge. After being arrested and charged with larceny earlier in the month, he was released after presenting authorities with a fake I.D., and was placed on top of the Cape Coral, FL "Most Wanted" list.

His illicitly acquired freedom came to a sudden halt following his attempt to shoplift $120 worth of Nintendo DS titles from a local Wal-Mart. A loss prevention officer noticed the odd, rectangular shapes jutting out of his pants, and subdued him until authorities arrived. During police questioning, Larson claimed he was stealing the games to support his heroin addiction.

Then again, we wonder if that's really the true story. "Please, man," Larson might have said to the arresting officer, "don't tell them about my insatiable addiction for Imagine: Babyz games. I know! You could say I planned on pawning them to buy heroin! Please, come on, man. This would absolutely ruin me."

[Image]

[Via GamePolitics]

Arcade cabinet used to smuggle pot, DEA nabs 'High Score'

by Xav de Matos { Jul 31st 2009 at 1:00AM }

Police have arrested 24-year-old Las Vegas resident Kevin Dixon with unlawful trafficking and possession of cannabis after authorities discovered 172 pounds of the substance hidden inside an arcade cabinet. According to the Daily Herald, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been investigating possible drug activity between Arizona and Nevada, which eventually led to the interception of the arcade unit by DEA agents and the Palatine Police Department.

Over $170,000 worth of the "Sticky Icky" was recovered in the bust, landing Dixon (whose mugshot is poorly 'shopped above) in a Cook County courthouse, where bail was set at $250,000. Dixon's motives are unclear, but we're sure some anti-video game activist will let us know exactly which game is to blame for the crime sometime in the near future.

[Thanks, Don]

Ubisoft and Telltale serving up justice with CSI: Deadly Intent

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 19th 2009 at 2:30PM }

If you've always wanted to get elbow-deep inside a human chest cavity in the name of scientific justice, here comes your shining moment. Ubisoft and CBS are teaming up once again to release the seventh gaming adaptation of the popular crime-solving TV show, titled CSI: Deadly Intent (the debut trailer for which is posted after the break).

This time around, Telltale Games is developing it for the Wii, DS, 360 and PC, and it guest stars Lawrence Fishburne as lead investigator Dr. Raymond Langston. Sounds like a recipe for success. We bet it'll make (puts on sunglasses) a killing in the NPDs.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Gallery: CSI: Deadly Intent (Xbox 360)

Continued →

Georgia men arrested for returning 'games'

by Randy Nelson { Jun 26th 2009 at 5:00AM }

Like all crime, the meticulous effort three Georgia men put into buying, opening and selling games -- only to return the seemingly unopened boxes for a refund -- didn't pay. Atlanta's Fox 5 News reports that 29-year-old Levar Thornton, 19-year-old Michael Cunningham and 18-year-old Tyrell Myers managed to swap game discs for blank CD-R media using games purchased from 11 area Wal-Mart stores, amounting to 200 returns in all.

Once the retailer eventually got wise to the scam (guess it had enough of customers complaining their "unopened" games contained blank discs), police arrested the trio, who were found with 400 shipping receipts on them. Evidently, they had sold the swiped software via eBay to tune of at least $10,000, according to Wal-mart's estimated losses.

We're not exactly sure what to make of this final detail: The report states that all of the stolen games were for Xbox 360.

[Thanks, User_Name!]

[Image]

GameStop robbery foiled by ceiling, locks

by Justin McElroy { Jun 23rd 2009 at 3:00PM }

How can we tell that the dude who attempted to rob a Pittsburgh GameStop last night is a real gamer? Just look at his methods: The would-be burglar climbed through air ducts and in through the ceiling of the store, Sam Fisher-style. But when he realized that both the front and back doors of the building were locked, he retreated through the same vent.

A Nintendo Game Counselor consulted about the crime said that if the thief had looked inside the glowing sphere in the corner of the store, he would have found a blue key for the door. Ouch, random criminal, so close.

[Thanks, David]

Frat treasurer says he stole money to buy games

by Justin McElroy { May 1st 2009 at 3:00AM }

Jose R. Tavarez, treasurer of the Delta Theta Sigma fraternity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is accused of stealing $12,000 from the group. Tavarez says that he took the money to buy video games because his bank card is linked to his parents and "he did not want them seeing that he spent his money on the games."

So embarrassed about his video game habit that he stole? We'd love to know how far he'd go to cover up paying to join a fraternity.

[Via GamePolitics]

EA announces MySims Agents for Wii, DS

by Griffin McElroy { Apr 22nd 2009 at 10:45AM }

We always had this sneaking suspicion during our time in MySims' adorably rendered township -- an inkling that some great criminal presence was operating just below the surface of those colorful suburbs. Your quiet, saucer-eyed neighbor, Julia? Drug pusher. Mike, the lawyer from down the street? Human trafficker. Allie, the six-year-old daughter of Julia? Terrorist.

If bustin' scoundrels makes you feel good, you'll be pleased to hear Electronic Arts just announced MySims Agents for the Wii and DS. Though there will probably be some slight variations in gameplay, both titles place you in the patent leather shoes of a special agent tasked with bringing down some scurrilous lawbreaker using gadgets, Columbo-esque clue tracking and a little help from some similarly skilled neighbors. Look for the games to sneak out this Fall.

Counterfeit DS sellers busted in UK

by David Hinkle { Jan 23rd 2009 at 1:03PM }

For the first time in the nation's history, a couple have been caught selling counterfeit DS systems. The dastardly duo set up shop in Kent, and were nabbed with 40 counterfeit handhelds. The two were unloading the units on unsuspecting eBay shoppers, with Bromley Trading Standards Department and local police catching the criminals.

On top of the systems, the bust also resulted in the capture of faulty power units, game-copying devices, and 150 counterfeit games for the DS and GBA. Authorities suspect the couple made upwards of £50,000 during the month of December alone, and have been at this for at least two years. Remember, kids: crime doesn't pay. Unless it's the month of December and you're willing to go to jail for a long time the following month.

Children's home robbed, local businessman replaces stolen Wii

by David Hinkle { Dec 31st 2008 at 3:05PM }

It's good to know the holiday season wasn't all fist-fighting and theft, as a real heart-warming story has emerged from the UK. You see, last weekend, the Hunter family had left home to attend a wedding, only to return and find their home had been broken into and trashed. As one would expect, a few items were missing, most notably the Nintendo Wii Santa left for their two young children.

Enter Dundee businessman Charlie Kean of Kean Slaters, who stepped forward (among the many other local individuals who've helped this family get through this tough time) to provide the family with a new Wii, as well as some games. Currently, the criminals have yet to be apprehended by authorities.

Two men arrested in Ireland for selling fake Wii consoles

by David Hinkle { Oct 22nd 2008 at 1:30PM }

In Northern Ireland, a pair of men were apparently selling counterfeit Wii consoles (no, not the Vii). When searching a car in the New Lodge Road area of Belfast, police discovered several counterfeit consoles. The men, aged 19 and 22, were then detained by police.

We'd just like to take this moment to warn that it could happen to any of you. If you're still desperate for a console (you should be able to track one down at a store by now, if you check early enough every day, we would think) and using services like craigslist or eBay, take caution. The person selling the Wii could be trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

Pennsylvania man assaulted by brass knuckles over PS3

by Alan Tsang { Sep 5th 2008 at 7:00PM }

An 18-year-old man was punched in the face with brass knuckles and then kicked during a dispute over the ownership of a PlayStation 3, the Tribune-Review reports. Here's how it went down: the unidentified victim went up to a group of about 30 people 9:30PM in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, curious to know why people were gathered there. Next thing he knew, it was brass knuckles in the face and his PS3 was taken from him.

Now the police are searching for four men who assaulted him, as they were not apprehended at the scene of the crime. Maybe it was best not to approach a large group of people gathered on a street corner after-dark with your PS3, huh?

[Via Kotaku]

Law of the Game on Joystiq: Let the punishment fit the crime

by Mark Methenitis { Aug 14th 2008 at 8:00PM }

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq, a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

We've be hearing a lot about the Thai cabbie killing lately and how it was (or wasn't) caused by Grand Theft Auto. In the wake of that tragic murder, there have been two major groups of outcries. The first has been the call to regulate games; one we have heard all too often. The other has been a call to revise criminal penalties; one which is not only new, but speaks to the core theory behind criminal law: the theory of punishment. Criminal law theory is something that is universal in all of our criminal codes, but isn't often discussed. It's this "theoretical" approach that we'll look at today. You may agree or disagree with my particular thoughts on the theory of criminal law, but it's more important for everyone to understand a theoretical approach to criminal law so that we can come to our own conclusions about true "justice."

The concept of criminal law starts with some basic political philosophy. In order to have a society, there has to be a set of rules by which that society operates. Whether you want to view this as the social contract in a Locke/Hobbes/Rousseau manner or through some other philosophical lens, the basic need for rules and order in a society is more or less the same. This need for rules gives rise to the concept of the law, and one of those concepts is the boundaries of behavior that stray into what we, as a society, feel need to be punished. This is the basis for all criminal law, be it a crime against a person or a crime against property.

Continued →

Unsolved Crimes offers more clues about gameplay

by Candace Savino { Jul 28th 2008 at 7:30PM }

Anyone who was around thirty-some years ago (or saw the movie Summer of Sam) might know that New York City wasn't the safest of places during the 1970s. That's why we're even more intrigued by the realistic-looking adventure game, Unsolved Crimes, which takes place in this crime-filled setting.

The game should be releasing this fall (in the UK, at least), and centers around a rookie detective. He (and therefore, you,) must figure out the circumstances behind the disappearance of aspiring model Betty Blake. The game will focus on the one overarching storyline, but will include other mysteries for you to solve as well (à la Hotel Dusk). In fact, the press release boasts that there are eight different cases to solve.

Also like Hotel Dusk, you'll have to pay close attention to detail so that you can answer questions later (in addition to point-and-click adventure gaming and action-packed shootouts). Check out the new screens in the gallery below for more of an idea of what to expect.