Investigation of pastor, wife expands Oct 4, 2008
The couple were arrested Sept. 16 on racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, mortgage fraud and grand theft charges. More crime coverage. (The Palm Beach Post)
Nanny allegedly cheated families Oct 4, 2008
The misdemeanor grand theft charges name five families, each with two children placed in her care, including Lewis' twins. But authorities said they believe as many as 30 children could be involved, and the investigation is continuing. (AZCentral -- News)
Full Story Oct 4, 2008
Nineteen-year-old Joshua Titton and 20-year-old Gillian Carter now face grand theft charges. Police said one of the suspects confessed to the crime. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
News Digest: Oct 4, 2008
BOISE (AP) A former Valley County employee has pleaded guilty to grand theft and forgery in 4th District Court after state prosecutors said she stole more than 50,000 in community fire protection grant money meant to protect a rural community from devastating wildfire. Lois Van Hoover must pay 52,770 in restitution. (Ontario Argus Observer, OR)
Sequoia clinic deal nearly final Oct 3, 2008
They are accused of grand theft related to some $1. 5 million in allegedly fraudulent Medi-Cal claims to the state. (Fresno Bee)
The Faces of the Future Oct 3, 2008
IGN chats with the firm behind the groundbreaking facial animation of The Mummy 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, and The Emily Project ... The firm's work can be seen in such games and films as The Mummy 3, Call of Duty 2, Meet Dave, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. (IGN Gear)
Requiem For The Hardcore Oct 3, 2008
"Grand Theft Auto," for instance, would never have become a cultural touchstone if not for the hardcore gamer's seal of approval. Somewhere around 2002, though, publishers began to realize they didn't need hardcore buzz to have a monster hit. (Forbes -- Technology)
West Mel. 'distraction' theft couple eyed in other crimes Oct 3, 2008
Both Amanda Fogle Johnson, 33, and Anthony Scott Honeycutt, were charged with grand theft on Monday after Titusville Police notified West Melbourne detectives about their traffic stop ... Amanda Fogle Johnson was arrested for grand theft in Titusville after a purse was found in her car from a distraction robbery in West Melbourne ... Anthony Scott Honeycutt was arrested for grand theft in Titusville after a purse was found in his car from a distraction robbery in West Melbourne. (Florida Today)
Latest arrest reports Oct 3, 2008
Charges: burglary, grand theft, trafficking stolen property. 11:43 a.m. Sept. 30. (Florida Today)
More Screen Play Oct 3, 2008
Big releases will sell at any time of the year (as Grand Theft Auto IV in April proved) while smaller titles will have much more of a chance of finding an audience when they are not competing for attention and pocket money with a dozen shiny new giants. What is the game at the top of your Christmas shopping list this year. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Police Blotter: Oct. 2, 2008 Oct 3, 2008
Noureen Akhtar, 24, of Yuba City, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 4:20 p.m. Sept. 30 at Sam's Club, 900 N. Walton Ave., on suspicion of burglary, grand theft and embezzlement. She was booked into Sutter County Jail. (Appeal Democrat, CA)
Royalties for digital song downloads unchanged Oct 3, 2008
After dismissing Electronic Arts Inc.'s takeover attempts, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., publisher of the Grand Theft Auto game series, said it had decided to remain an independent company. The decision concludes a "strategic review" the New York-based game publisher initiated after the unsolicited $2-billion offer from EA. After being repeatedly rebuffed, EA walked last month. (Los Angeles Times)
Take-Two Interactive to remain independent Oct 3, 2008
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Take-Two Interactive Software Inc, until recently an acquisition target of bigger rival Electronic Arts Inc, plans to remain an independent company, the makers of the popular "Grand Theft Auto" series said on Thursday. Take-Two said the decision followed detailed discussions with "various interested parties" over the last five months. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Hand over the controller, girl gamers say Oct 3, 2008
With her nimble fingers and bubbling enthusiasm, she is one of a fast-growing posse of female gamers in the United States and elsewhere capturing the attention of video game makers -- expanding the market beyond male-appeal games like Grand Theft Auto. Girls and young women are a "pot of gold" for the industry, said George VanHorn, senior analyst at market research firm IBISWorld. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
With fans at the game, thieves get to work Oct 3, 2008
He's been in and out of the Florida prison system since 1986, convicted on charges ranging from burglary and grand theft to carrying a concealed firearm, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. Police would not say which UGA frat houses were burglarized, but one police report says that members of Lambda Chi Alpha left the doors to their South Milledge Avenue house open while they attended the Georgia-Georgia Southern game. (Athens Banner-Herald)
• Ex-Idaho county worker guilty in fire money theft Oct 3, 2008
Ex-Idaho county worker guilty in fire money theft By JOHN MILLER BOISE, Idaho - A former Valley County employee has pleaded guilty to grand theft and forgery in 4th District Court after state prosecutors said she stole more than $50,000 in community fire protection grant money meant to protect a rural community from devastating wildfire ... She originally had been charged with two counts of felony grand theft and four counts of felony forgery for making it look like Back Country Services, a... (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
• E. Idaho jailer pleads guilty to theft Oct 3, 2008
E. Idaho jailer pleads guilty to theft ST. ANTHONY, Idaho - A former Fremont County Jail guard in eastern Idaho pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft after he was arrested for stealing from inmates and co-workers ... Prosecutors this week agreed to forgo one count of grand theft and drug charges, in exchange for Holjeson's guilty plea. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Rental scam gets local man arrested Oct 3, 2008
Cornell Albescu, 49, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and grand theft in the rental scam, which lured victims through ads on Craigslist and produced illegal profits in the thousands, said Modesto police Sgt. Doug Ridenour. The burglary charge stems from Albescu's trespassing in the homes and buying a rental agreement form with the intent of committing a felony. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Palm Beach hair salon ripoff? Oct 3, 2008
Lynn was charged with grand theft, organized fraud and fraudulent use of a credit card. Her bond was $20,000. (The Palm Beach Post)
Concrete Empire Crumbles Oct 3, 2008
Ramirez, now 65, faces charges of grand theft and fraud for allegedly passing off inferior recycled concrete -- a cheaper material that is more prone to wear, cracks and water penetration -- as meeting higher durability standards for the Golden Gate Bridge and a Burlingame wastewater treatment plant ... Ramirez now faces charges of breaking environmental law, as well as grand theft and fraud associated with the Golden Gate Bridge retrofit and Burlingame wastewater project. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Arrest made in killing of Shadd buck Oct 3, 2008
He was charged with four felonies: grand theft, armed trespassing and two counts of cutting a fence around privately owned livestock. He was later released on a $40,000 bond. (Bradford County Telegraph, FL)
Rammell files felony complaint against Risch (197) Oct 3, 2008
ST. ANTHONY - Independent U.S. Senate candidate Rex Rammell has filed a felony complaint with Fremont County alleging his Republican opponent, Jim Risch, and other state officials conspired and committed grand theft ... The total, 16,350, represents grand theft, he said ... "The complaint he had notarized and filed with court clerks Friday morning also names former Fish and Game Director Steve Huffaker and a list of current and former Fish and Game Board members in the fall of 2006 as... (Rexburg Standard Journal, ID)
Ex-deputy pleads guilty (169) Oct 3, 2008
Published: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 10:13 PM MDT Man is charged with grand theft. ST. ANTHONY -- On Tuesday, former Fremont County Deputy Bradley Holjeson changed his plea to guilty in District Court on a charge of grand theft and the other charges against him will be dropped ... The other charges are one count of grand theft and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. (Rexburg Standard Journal, ID)
Single-Player Game Oct 3, 2008
Take-Two justified the decision to go it alone, noting that it is debt free and claims a stable of hit titles that includes 15 other wholly owned brands with sales of more than one million units each in addition to its blockbuster franchise "Grand Theft Auto.". "We are confident in our prospects," Chairman Strauss Zelnick said in a statement. (New York Post -- Business)
SDUSD supervisor jailed 120 days for theft Oct 3, 2008
A jury convicted Macias in May of six felony charges, including grand theft. But the defense argued that a juror accused of failing to properly deliberate should not have been removed from the panel. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Fury over drug deal vid game Sep 25, 2008
A NEW version of controversial video game Grand Theft Auto will let players deal drugs. The Chinatown Wars adventure for the family-friendly Nintendo DS console lets players earn cash by learning where to sell six types of drug. (The Sun)
Watertown has gang issue, police specialist tells residents Sep 25, 2008
Taking a look at video games, Chavez started with the game Pong from the '60s, Donkey Kong in the '80s, to one of today's popular video games called, Grand Theft Auto, where the player can choose his gang, the gang name and gets extra points for robbing people, stealing cars and murder. Chavez also gave another example of how today's entertainment has influenced students in the past. (Watertown Daily Times, WI)
Analyst speculates wildly on Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown War for ... Sep 24, 2008
iPhone news, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, Pocket Gamer ... The games industry panics when Grand Theft Auto hasn't been in the news for a couple of days ... According to , analyst Mike Hickey over at Janco Partners has speculated that Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars -due out for the DS very shortly - is likely to appear on the iPhone. (Pocket Gamer)
Latest arrest reports, jail booking photos Sep 24, 2008
Charges: grand theft, forgery, uttering a forged instrument. 5:35 p.m. Sept. 22. (Florida Today)
* [ART JOURNAL] Reach out touch some art Sep 24, 2008
The minimalist narrative structure evokes Samuel Becketts later works and, somewhat paradoxically, its digital images are reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto. I watched the short three times; each viewing revealed something completely different, like a text that can be read and reread for different layers of meaning. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Rockstar Games on why Chinatown Wars is on DS, not Wii Sep 24, 2008
One of the most interesting questions asked explains why Rockstar Games created Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the DS instead of the Wii which appeared as a much more obvious choice. "It seems like a more natural progression for the series to move to Wii rather than the DS. Is there any reason why you didn t take it there first? It didn t feel natural to us, I guess. It really was that the DS felt like it had a lot of interesting challenges that would be totally different from what we d... (Aussie-Nintendo.com)
Rockstar: No 'GTA' Wii title planned Sep 23, 2008
Rockstar Games has confirmed that there are no immediate plans to develop a Grand Theft Auto title for the Wii console. The developer has instead been working with Nintendo on Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the DS, which is reportedly due for release this winter. (Digital Spy)
Daily Record for September 23, 2008 Sep 23, 2008
Grand theft, 12:18 p.m. Sunday, 700 block W. Central Avenue. Bicycle theft, 3:05 p.m. Sunday, 1300 block North H Street. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Traders suffer ratings Sep 23, 2008
Frustrated by what it describes as "inconsistent" rulings by the Classification Board and customer anger over censorship in high-profile games like Grand Theft Auto IV and Fallout 3, the retailer has written to all Australian Attorneys-General and is mounting a campaign to support the introduction of an R18+ rating. Gametraders national marketing manager Chad Polley says his stores are fielding many complaints from customers regarding banned or edited games because of the lack of an R18+ rating,... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Valley ID theft scam exposed Sep 23, 2008
"We haven't seen this type of activity before." Nine people from Fresno, Clovis and Madera Ranchos were arrested last week and have been charged with a total of 113 felonies, including identity theft, grand theft, auto theft and perjury. The arrests follow a 13-month joint investigation by the DMV, the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County Sheriff's Department. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Hellboy: The Science of Evil Sep 23, 2008
While this is understandable on a game such as 'Grand Theft Auto' where there is a lot being rendered at a time, it's unacceptable for an action platformer that is bland to begin with. While the combat is satisfying, the system is in need of tweaking. (iAfrica.com)
Jeweler Arrested In Fake-Diamonds Case Sep 22, 2008
Mokma was being held in lieu of $2 million bail at Santa Clara County Jail and is to appear in court Wednesday on charges of grand theft. The investigation began when several people reported being victimized by Mokma after learning that they were sold synthetic diamonds instead of genuine ones, police said. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Investigation continues in Palm Bay arson fires Sep 22, 2008
The fire charges were dropped, but Crowder is serving 20 years for violating his probation on burglary and grand theft convictions. Palm Bay Police Chief Bill Berger, however, said he still has suspicions related to Crowder and his possible involvement in the Mother's Day fires. (Florida Today)
Sunday's arrests Sep 22, 2008
Charges: burglary, possession of burglary tools, theft of credit card by taking or retaining, burglary, grand theft, burglary, grand theft, burglary, grand theft, burglary, grand theft, burglary, Undetermined, burglary, grand theft ... Charges: burglary, possession of burglary tools, theft of credit card by taking or retaining, burglary, grand theft, burglary, grand theft, burglary, grand theft, burglary, grand theft, burglary, grand theft, burglary, grand theft ... Charges: burglary, grand... (Florida Today)
Police Blotter: Sept. 22, 2008 Sep 22, 2008
Ralph Thomas Stormer, 42, of the 5600 block of Franklin Avenue, Yuba City, was arrested by the Sutter County Sheriff's Department at 8:30 a.m. at George Washington Boulevard and Lincoln Road on suspicion of possession of a firearm and attempted grand theft. He was booked into Sutter County Jail. (Appeal Democrat, CA)
New Chinatown Wars details Sep 22, 2008
By Lucario, 22 Sep, 2008 - 4:54 PM - Not much has been revealed about this DS exclusive title since it was announced at E3 back in July, however a few slight on Grand Theft Auto:Chinatown Wars have emerged ... No release date has been set for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars yet but it shouldn't be to far away. (Aussie-Nintendo.com)
Pastor: Fraud claims a result of a few bad deals Sep 22, 2008
He pastored a church in Jensen Beach, where on his last Sunday in the pulpit before he was arrested on mortgage fraud, grand theft and racketeering charges, his message was titled "Reckless Faith.". "I still don't think I did anything wrong," he said in a jailhouse interview last week. (The Palm Beach Post)
First Coast Fugitive: Clay man sought in theft Sep 22, 2008
Authorities are searching for Shaun Devon Rhodes, a fugitive wanted in Clay County on grand theft charges. Rhodes, 23, lives in Keystone Heights. (Florida Times-Union)
Arrest Over Dead Animals In School Lockers Sep 21, 2008
Goett was arrested at his Pleasanton home Friday afternoon arrested on suspicion of grand theft, tampering with school property and improper disposal of animals. . (San Francisco Chronicle -- Weird News)
Burglary ring suspect accepts plea bargain Sep 21, 2008
He also pleaded guilty to grand theft from an elder regarding an April case in which authorities said he cashed checks taken from two elderly Crescent City women who were using his service. Authorities said he stole and forged checks from one of the women. (Daily Triplicate)
New details of GTA Chinatown Wars emerge Sep 20, 2008
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars ... Rockstar will be pulling no punches with DS game Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, which set to be rated "Mature" ... Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is expected before the end of the year. (Eurogamer)
Star athlete, 2 other teens charged in Flagler burglaries Sep 20, 2008
The most recent charges against Johnny Jones, 18, include three counts of grand theft and three counts of burglary. He also was arrested Sept. 5 on charges of fraudulently using a stolen credit card and dealing in stolen property and on Aug. 21 for driving a vehicle with no tag assigned, according to Sheriff's Office records. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Contractor found guilty of fraud in Flagler home construction Sep 20, 2008
Prosecutor Steven Gosney said he also plans to file a second case against Hassler for grand theft over $100,000 in an unrelated case ... Herbert Heron and Noel Richardson, owners of Canterbury Estates Homes Inc. and Oxford Title Co. Inc. also are facing charges of grand theft, organized fraud and misapplication of construction funds ... Gregory Bleyl, owner of Osprey Custom Homes, faces charges of forgery and grand theft. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Thursday's arrests Sep 20, 2008
Charges: uttering a forged instrument, grand theft ... Charges: trafficking stolen property, false information to second hand property, grand theft. (Florida Today)
Puppy mill - 23 dogs found dead Sep 20, 2008
He is charged with grand theft, elder abuse and contracting without a license. "This guy just doesn't care ... about anybody or anything," Patterson said. (Pet-Abuse.com)
Is GameStop the Next Blockbuster? Sep 20, 2008
Even if gamers bought their copy of Take-Two Interactive's (Nasdaq: TTWO) Grand Theft Auto IV from the local GameStop, they're still encouraged to buy MP3 downloads of the songs through Amazon. com. (MSNBC -- Business)
South Bay Jeweler Behind Bars In Fake Diamonds Case Sep 20, 2008
Police arrested Gerald Dan Mokma (pictured, below) Thursday on suspicion of grand theft charges. They say he sold at least $240,000 worth of merchandise to customers who thought they were buying quality diamonds. (NBC 11, CA)
Underground tourism: Taking mass transit in strange places Sep 20, 2008
Going underground equals hazard: The threats are rarely as spectacular as grand theft or supernatural invasion, but, in real life, they do run from threatening drunks to deadly assault with a screwdriver or terrorist bomb. Most of us therefore view the subway as at best annoying and at worst dangerous, and use it only when we have to. (Globe and Mail)
Can games make your kid a better citizen? Sep 20, 2008
Thats not to say that first-person shooters such as Halo or violent-themed action games such as Grand Theft Auto arent sought after they definitely are. But daily gamers are more likely to play a wider range of game genres, according to the Pew study. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Rockstar Games and Microsoft Present the Grand Theft Auto IV Xbox LIVE(R) Weekend Sep 20, 2008
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: - ), and Microsoft proudly present the Grand Theft Auto IV LIVE Weekend exclusively on Xbox LIVE online entertainment network beginning Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28 in the United States and Canada ... Register for the sweepstakes online at before the close of the entry period on September 28, 2008, at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT or register via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
IAHGames Utilizes Tata Communications Global CDN Service To Accelerate Online Gaming Services Sep 19, 2008
IAHGames currently hosts award-winning titles such as Dragonica, EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA Online 2, Granado Espada, Top Speed, Hellgate: London, and the entire product line from global publisher Take 2 Interactive, which includes hits such as Grand Theft Auto IV and the Midnight Club series. Leveraging on Singapore's strategic geographical location and advanced IT infrastructure, IAHGames continues to strengthen its position to consolidate the world's fastest growing online games market while helping... (PR Newswire)
Impressive physics, visuals power new 'Star Wars' game Sep 19, 2008
How amazing it would be to have some open-ended levels, such as a "Grand Theft Auto" sandbox game, in which you're left to explore your surroundings. This drawback can also hurt the game's replayability. (USA Today)
Thursday, 18 September 2008 Stuff Mag declares iPhone 'Gadget of ... Sep 19, 2008
Other winners included Nokia (best brand); Grand Theft Auto IV (best game); Ego Electric Street Scoota (best green gadget) and best retailer, Firebox. The magazine editors awarded their own Gadget of the Year prize to the Asus Eee PC, which they said had made more of an impact than any other device and marked the start of a 'laptop for everyone' era. (Macworld UK)
Injuries surface for two Vikings starters Sep 19, 2008
He was arrested and charged Monday and is being held on $10,000 bond with one count of grand theft and four counts of deposit with fraud. Newman is accused of cashing checks from a closed account and the charges carry felony implications. (VikingUpdate.com)
Arrest in apparent debt scam Sep 19, 2008
Gonzalez, who was out on bail after being arrested in July in Porterville on a similar case, was arrested Thursday morning at her home on the 6400 block of South McCall Avenue on 43 counts of felony grand theft. She is accused of advertising that she could reduce credit debt by 50% by referring victims to the Cardell Group of San Diego after she received a $670 fee. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Regional Roundup Sep 19, 2008
A Lockeford man charged with nine counts of grand theft in connection with taking money without performing the landscaping work pleaded not guilty Wednesday in San Joaquin County Superior Court ... Weaver, arrested Tuesday at his Lockeford residence, is charged with nine counts of grand theft, two counts of theft from an elder and nine counts of contracting without a license, according to court records. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Suspension was second for Bismarck officer Sep 18, 2008
Grand theft auto and attempted murder. This is his 2nd suspension, don't know the outcome of the first and don't care. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Wednesday's arrests Sep 18, 2008
Charges: burglary, grand theft, violation of probation. 3 p.m. Sept. 17. (Florida Today)
Suspect Arrested In Supermarket Purse Thefts Sep 18, 2008
Gay was booked into Central Jail for grand theft in the El Cajon Von's case. Police said Gay may be connected to more than 25 grocery story thefts in the city of San Diego and several cases in other parts of the county. (NBCSandiego.com, CA)
Pastor, wife arrested in alleged mortgage scam Sep 18, 2008
Shalonda McGill and her husband Rodney, a pastor and popular radio show host, face numerous charges, including racketeering, grand theft and obtaining a mortgage by false representation. It appears that these individuals used their positions in the community to take advantage of people who trusted them, said Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services, which investigated the case. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
