mcs328
11-14-2002, 11:26 AM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=816&e=1&cid=816&u=/ap/20021114/ap_on_re_us/theft_spree
Teen Car Thief Blames Video Game
1 hour, 15 minutes ago
KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) - A teenager told police that a video game about stealing cars inspired an auto theft spree involving about 100 vehicles before he and two others were caught, authorities say.
Micah A. Zoerner, 19, of Somers is charged with numerous counts of theft, burglary and auto theft beginning in late September and is being held in lieu of a $15,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Nov. 20.
He was arrested Friday when officers in the village of Pleasant Prairie spotted him breaking into vehicles parked at a local apartment complex, authorities said.
At the time of his arrest, Zoerner was in possession of an auto that had been reported stolen a week earlier from the same apartment complex, as well as property taken that night from cars in the area, authorities said.
Detectives said he told them he had been inspired by the video game "Grand Theft Auto" in which the characters steal cars from parking garages and other places.
Two other teens, one 18 and the other 19, were also apprehended but have not yet been charged.
"He (Zoerner) said that actually going out and committing these crimes was challenging and fun," Pleasant Prairie Police Chief Brian Wagner said.
"A video game is fantasy and you can turn it off and walk away without consequences — there are no victims and no one gets hurt. Reality is not as forgiving.
"He cost this community thousands of dollars in damage and property loss and is facing some serious penalties as a result. I would hope that he'll rethink the meaning of the word 'fun.'"
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Stupid stupid stupid
Teen Car Thief Blames Video Game
1 hour, 15 minutes ago
KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) - A teenager told police that a video game about stealing cars inspired an auto theft spree involving about 100 vehicles before he and two others were caught, authorities say.
Micah A. Zoerner, 19, of Somers is charged with numerous counts of theft, burglary and auto theft beginning in late September and is being held in lieu of a $15,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Nov. 20.
He was arrested Friday when officers in the village of Pleasant Prairie spotted him breaking into vehicles parked at a local apartment complex, authorities said.
At the time of his arrest, Zoerner was in possession of an auto that had been reported stolen a week earlier from the same apartment complex, as well as property taken that night from cars in the area, authorities said.
Detectives said he told them he had been inspired by the video game "Grand Theft Auto" in which the characters steal cars from parking garages and other places.
Two other teens, one 18 and the other 19, were also apprehended but have not yet been charged.
"He (Zoerner) said that actually going out and committing these crimes was challenging and fun," Pleasant Prairie Police Chief Brian Wagner said.
"A video game is fantasy and you can turn it off and walk away without consequences — there are no victims and no one gets hurt. Reality is not as forgiving.
"He cost this community thousands of dollars in damage and property loss and is facing some serious penalties as a result. I would hope that he'll rethink the meaning of the word 'fun.'"
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Stupid stupid stupid