Around £1million worth of Xbox 360’s have been stolen in two separate incidents at a depot, run by Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Last week, around £250,000 worth of the consoles were stolen when a truck from the depot was hijacked. In a separate incident, shortly after 5am on Monday 20th November a lorry containing between £500,000 and £750,000 units was hijacked soon after it left the depot on the A38.
The gang is believed to be made up of at least three men driving a Range Rover and Rover saloon. In the second incident, the gang indicated the driver of the lorry to pull over. The driver, believing something may have been under the wheels, pulled over on the southbound carriageway of the A38 near Hilliard’s Cross. The gang then attacked the driver before making off with the lorry. The lorry was later found in Minworth, Warwickshire, minus said Xbox 360’s.
Peter Stevens, of Staffordshire Police, said:
“We are appealing for information from anyone who is offered these games in suspicious circumstances, such as in a pub, at a car boot sale or off the back of a lorry.”
Martin Meyer, the managing director of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics UK, said:
“Obviously our primary concern lies with the driver who, thankfully, suffered only minor injuries and has been discharged from hospital. As the police investigation is still under way, we do not wish to disclose any further information about the incident at this stage. However, I can confirm that as a business, the safety of our employees and our fleet is paramount. Therefore, following the event on Monday we have already begun a thorough internal review.”
Staffordshire Police are urging anyone who may seen either incident, or anyone with information, to contact them, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Originally Written By: Scott Webber
