Retailers Taking Action Against Rising Rate of Blu-ray Thefts
steal posts
Crafty Crooks Get a 'Cheap' Blu-ray Player
Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
Not that we'd have any expert knowledge in the wide world of theft, but this just doesn't seem like the best way to go about snagging a new HDTV. At any rate, an undisclosed amount of thieves reportedly drove a truck (or large SUV... it was dark outside, okay?) into the front door of Los Tres Amigos restaurant in a small Pennsylvania town, broke the glass, ganked a 47-inch Insignia HDTV and "fled the scene." For starters, you'd risk prison for an Insignia? Really? Second, with LCD prices tanking like never before, don't you think you could've waited until Black Friday to get yourself a steal? Sigh.[Image courtesy of Hotel Interactive]
TV Pirate Gets Jail Time for Rebroadcasting DISH Network Material
If you really needed proof that the statement "crime doesn't pay" had at least a semblance of truth behind it, here's your sign. Known satellite TV pirate Glenn White has been sentenced to a 14 month stint in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally rebroadcasting DISH Network's programming. As the story goes, Mr. White was doing business in Wagram, North Carolina under the name Wagram Cable, but rather than distributing material in a legal manner, he chose to crack DISH's encryption and then monetize it. Big mistake.
Oh, and DISH Network actually put this out on a press release in order to let the public know it "will continue to fight those who aid or participate in illegally breaking into encrypted DISH Network TV channels and set-top boxes." Don't say it didn't warn you.
[Image courtesy of FlatPanelTV]
Circuit City Shopper Cuffed for Refusing to Show Receipt
If you shop with any frequency at giant chain stores such as Circuit City, Best Buy, Home Depot or even Bed, Bath & Beyond, you've probably grown accustomed to showing a security person your receipt and allowing him to inspect the contents of your bag as you leave the store.
For most of us, this inspection is routine and nothing more than a nuisance. But, have you ever stopped to wonder if this is even legal, or that this search of your bags is essentially an accusation of theft? Well, this past weekend, an Ohio man decided to refuse the search of his bag at an area Circuit City and soon found himself behind bars.
Though he tells the story in much more detail on his own blog, here's a synopsis of what happened to Michael Righi of Brooklyn, Ohio. This past Saturday afternoon, he dropped into Circuit City and bought a surge protector and a copy of Disney's 'Cars' video game for the Ninetendo Wii. When Righi was told by the door person that his bag needed to be inspected and compared to his receipt, Righi refused with a polite "No thank you" and kept walking outside, where his father was waiting behind the driver's seat of his car. The security person and manager ran out of the store and blocked the car's exit from the parking lot. When neither could tell Righi which U.S. law gave them the right to search his bag, Righi asked to be let go or he would call the police himself. They refused and Righi called the police. When the officer showed up, he inspected the bag and saw nothing had been stolen. He also asked Righi for his driver's license. Since Righi was not driving his father's car, he refused to give up his driver's license, but was happy to give his name and address at the officer's request. Not amused, the officer arrested Righi and booked him for 'Obstructing Official Business.'
From Slashdot
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Audio/Video, Cameras, Computers, Video Games
Thieves Begin Tracking Gadget Shoppers
According to Consumerist, shoppers in Canada's Mississauga, ON, region are on alert after several consumers were robbed shortly after making big-ticket purchases at electronics stores. Police say criminals are staked out at these stores where they lay in wait for a person to buy an expensive item. The thieves will then tail the shopper to his or her next destination, wait until the shopper leaves the car, then break in and rob the items the victim had just bought.
These Canadian hooligans sure are creative -- though definitely a non-confrontational bunch. Here in the good ol' United States, a similar post-purchase rash of thefts occurred when the rare and expensive PlayStation 3 was launched last year. Only, that time there were a lot of blades, blood and hospital visits involved. That's America, baby.
From Consumerist
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