Rock Band Shipment Stolen at Gunpoint

A Michigan-bound shipment containing over 1,000 copies of Rock Band (PS2, PS3, X360) was hijacked at gunpoint earlier this week, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Developed by Harmonix and published by Electronic Arts, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 bundles of Rock Band--containing a guitar, drum kit, microphone, and the game itself--sell for $170. The software is also sold by itself for $60, with the PlayStation 2 version, due out December 18, $10 cheaper on both counts.

According to driver Nirmal Singh, a truck pulled up alongside his 18-wheeler while on California's Pomona Freeway and its occupants motioned for him to pull over for inspection. Singh complied, and was promptly held at gunpoint and blindfolded while the men drove the semi to an unknown location.
After unloading the cargo, the hijackers took the vehicle and Singh to a spot in Riverside, CA and left him with instructions not to emerge from it until 15 minutes had passed.

"We're glad no one got hurt," said EA spokesperson Bryce Baer. "We hope these guys end up forming a rock band in jail."

"Trucks and trailers do get stolen, but never in this way," A&N Truck Lines president Paul Sandhu, who noted the shipment was insured. "This is very rare."

Authorities believe the theft was an inside job due to the thieves' knowledge of the truck's contents, though they currently have no suspects. If arrested, those involved in the act could face life sentences due to Singh's kidnapping.