By Lynn Little
Popular video game systems, such as Sony’s PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo’s Gamecube are the latest burglary trend in Hattiesburg, MS, a review of police records found.
In August, seven PlayStation 2 systems, three Xboxes and at least 70 games were stolen from residences. Video games rank in the top 25 items stolen from homes nationwide, according to data reported to insurance companies, burglar alarm companies, and the FBI.
University Pawn Brokers manager Bonnie Reynolds said video game systems are quick to turn around.
“We probably get about three or four per day,” she said. “Generally if
(the sellers)don’t know how to work it, we assume it’s stolen. I occasionally get a stolen one, but it’s rare.”
Nearly half of all residential burglaries in the United States each year are without force, meaning doors or windows were left unlocked, said Robin Walker, spokesman for the Hattiesburg Police Department.
“Burglary is a crime of opportunity,” Walker said, “so take steps to
prevent your home from being that opportunity.”
How to Prevent theft in your home: Game systems and game cartridges should be locked in a secure place at night and when you are not home. Writing down the serial number on the system will help police track it down if it is stolen.
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