Massive $1.4 Million Nintendo Switch 2 Heist: Inside the Bold GameStop Truck Robbery

Nearly 3,000 Nintendo Switch 2 consoles were stolen from a truck on its journey from Nintendo’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, to a GameStop in Texas. This theft, valued at around $1.4 million, was reported by the local ABC affiliate, Denver 7.

Police are working to find the criminals but face challenges since the exact location of the theft isn’t known along the driver’s 1,332-mile trip. Investigators are curious whether this was a well-planned operation or a random act. The fact that multiple pallets were taken suggests some level of organization.

The truck driver was unaware he was transporting these high-value consoles. If found, the thieves could face serious felony charges.

Interestingly, thefts like this aren’t rare in the gaming world. For instance, during the 2020 launch of the PlayStation 5, gangs in the UK employed a technique called "rollover" to steal consoles from moving trucks. Vehicles would box in a truck, and a thief would climb aboard to break in.

Historically, Nintendo has also been a target. In 2015, a truck carrying stock for the game Splatoon was stolen, along with various rare amiibo figurines.

Despite these setbacks, the Nintendo Switch 2 launched successfully earlier this month, selling 3.5 million units within days. While stock shortages were initially a concern, Nintendo has managed to maintain availability. However, incidents like this theft could complicate future deliveries.

In the world of social media, reactions have been mixed. Many fans expressed anger over the theft, while others joked about the lengths thieves will go to for gaming gear. Back in 2020, tweets flooded in with players sharing their own experiences of high-stakes gaming thefts.

Local authorities are asking anyone with information to call their tip line at 720-874-8477.

For more context on gaming-related thefts, you can read similar stories on The Times and Eurogamer.

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