Gangs Have Started Stealing PlayStation 5 Consoles Out Of Moving Trucks
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Featured Image Credit: Universal Pictures/Sony
It's no secret that there's been an intense demand for Sony's next-gen console, something that hasn't been helped by launching in the middle of a pandemic and opportunistic scalpers who have been happy to swipe up what little stock there is, leaving nothing for the rest of us. Now, a shocking new report tells how gangs have started to steal PlayStation 5 consoles from moving lorries.
As reported in a pay-wall article by The Times (via Eurogamer), deliveries of PlayStations, mobile phones, TVs, cigarettes and more have been plundered in recent months by way of a technique called "the rollover".
The Times explains that this involves gangs working together in multiple vehicles to essentially close in on lorries, many of which are travelling at speeds of up to 50mph. One gang member will secure themselves to a rope and climb out through the sunroof, making their way to the lorry to cut their way inside and throw out the goods to their, um, colleagues, I guess.
You can watch a video of the technique in action below, as released in 2012 by Romanian police. Clearly "the rollover" is something that's been around for quite some time.
Apparently "the rollover" has been used at least 27 times this year up to September, and it's estimated that figure has risen significantly as gangs work to make the most of the Christmas period and the increased amount of expensive items being delivered. Police have already issues warnings to lorry drivers over the tactic and have advised them to be aware - although I'm not entirely sure what you're expected to do if a gang convoy rolls up and starts pinching your cargo.
The Times also spoke to a "career criminal" who said gangs have started to hone in on goods in transit because it's currently the weakest part of the supply chain and the easiest time to strike.
The piece goes on to quote a former security manager at the Road Haulage Association, who suggested that gangs knew when and where to strike because they're getting inside information. "Somebody must know when and where that vehicle is and it can't be just random that you are going to attack that," they said. "Somebody has done some tipping off."
Between this, the allegations of delivery drivers making off with consoles, and the aforementioned scalping, I'd say the PS5 launch is going to be one to remember. Just not for the reasons we might have hoped for.
Topics: News, PlayStation
