In a recent turn of events, six individuals have been charged following a series of truck thefts across the Midwest and Southeastern United States, according to a report by 404 Media. Among the stolen hauls was a truck carrying a whopping $1.5 million worth of Oculus headsets.
Court documents shed light on the sophisticated operation. The group allegedly staked out distribution centers, tracking semi-trucks as they exited the premises. Their method was alarmingly efficient: as truck drivers made pit stops to refuel, these men would seize the opportunity to steal the rigs. They would then connect the trailer to their own semi and drive off, leaving the original truck behind. To further cover their tracks, they would paint over logos and identifiers on the stolen trailers and swap license plates, making it challenging for law enforcement to identify them.
The documents highlight one particular incident where two members of the group targeted a trailer departing from a Louisville, Kentucky facility, loaded with Oculus reality goggles valued at around $1.5 million. Their crime spree was not limited to this; throughout 2022, they similarly made off with a truck filled with $940,000 worth of Microsoft goods, another packed with Sony products, and a third carrying Harman-JBL gear valued at $530,000. The indictment did not specify the value of the Sony merchandise. The group’s audacious activities extended into 2023, with thefts including trucks laden with CF Moto ATVs and a variety of goods from Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works, totaling an additional $1 million.
Interestingly, this week saw the arrest of seven men in Grapevine, Texas, charged with stealing similar goods. However, these individuals opted for a different tactic, targeting warehouses directly instead of hijacking trucks.
