GTA Inspires Rampage In Big Apple June 30, 2008

Read more Consoles , Games , Press

Oh dear, it had to happen sooner or later and thanks to a bunch of ASBOs we're inevitably going to have to put up with Germaine Greer and pals lauding the effect of violent video games on the youth of today.

Newsday reports that a gang of teenagers inspired by everyone's favourite random rampage series were arrested in New York recently following a late night crime spree. The youths took to the streets armed with a baseball bat, crowbar (are you listening Gordon?) and a broomstick, though thankfully no rocket launcher or Molotov cocktail.

Three victims were subjected to random violence that included assault, a would-be carjack and theft (though not grand theft).

Of course much of this would probably have gone down with the rest of the violent crimes across the country if one smartarse hadn't told detectives that they were imitating the Grand Theft Auto series of videogames.

Six suspects were charged as adults, the youngest of which was aged just 14, and were handed a combination of jail sentences and fines. - Paul Lester

[Newsday]

GTA computer game crime