In a rather daring series of heists, a group of men is accused of making off with numerous Oculus VR headsets by targeting unsuspecting truck drivers. Their tactic? They’d lie in wait for the moment when drivers stepped away for a quick bite or a restroom break, and then they’d simply commandeer the entire truck.
Both 404 Media and Court Watch have recently shed light on the situation, revealing that six individuals now face indictments. These men reportedly orchestrated their thefts by hijacking semi-trucks loaded with various costly goods—ranging from intimate apparel and ATVs to high-tech equipment. The alleged criminal activities spanned across the U.S., touching down in states such as Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana.
The strategy was as audacious as it was simple: track semi-trucks from distribution centers to places where drivers might pause, such as gas stations or truck stops. As soon as a driver left the vehicle unattended to refuel or take a break, the thieves would seize the opportunity to drive off, hitch and all. They’d then lock the stolen trailer onto their own vehicle, abandoning the original truck to avoid detection.
One notable escapade occurred on May 6, 2022, when two members of the group identified a truck in Louisville, Kentucky. This truck was packed with Meta Oculus VR headsets, valued at a staggering $1.5 million. They allegedly swiped the truck from an Indiana stop and then drove it to Vanderburgh County, where they left behind the front part of the truck, making away with the trailer full of VR headsets.
The indictment reveals these men went to great lengths to evade capture. They’d reportedly obscure logos and identifying numbers on the stolen trailers and swap out license plates to disguise their illegal hauls and throw law enforcement off their trail. While Meta wasn’t their sole target, they also purportedly stole trucks carrying expensive goods from major companies like Microsoft, Sony, Logitech, JBL, and Bose.
Ultimately, it seems their modus operandi involved selling the stolen merchandise at a fraction of its market price, with a buyer in Florida allegedly receiving these cut-rate goods.
