Video: Cops take a dude's Xbox 360

by Dustin Burg { Nov 23rd 2008 at 3:00PM }

Those Orange County cops, notorious gamers and are always trying to get their hands on the coolest gaming goods. So it should come as no surprise that after a routine traffic stop, an Orange County police officer took a man's Xbox 360 that was sitting in the car's back seat. Took everything, because he figured the Xbox was stolen and wanted receipt proof. In the end, it wasn't stolen (the dude has a receipt to prove it) and the Xbox has "magically" disappeared.

Our Orange County officer probably just needed his gaming fix, but he should know that you DO NOT mess with another man's Xbox ... ever.

[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]

Tags: orange-county, stolen, xbox, xbox-360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

UNSCleric @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:06PM

Welcome to the modern day police state, and it's going to get much worse. Just wait until they stage another terrorist attack, and this time blame it on a radicalized American citizen, we'll all be in for a treat then.

Blessed Ossoona @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:32PM

Wow.. I don't know if one crooked cop is comparable to a "staged" terrorist attack.

LegendaryRedass @ Nov 23rd 2008 5:51PM

That statement is almost as rediculous as you are.

PeacefulOutrage @ Nov 24th 2008 8:11AM

You only vote him down because you don't get your news from enough sources. After the stuff I've seen that is on video (from police cruisers, even), you'd be singing a different tune. I'm talking about everyone being victimized, from elderly women to young white men who have to put video cameras in their cars for protection (and get death threat for reporting bad apples).

I used to want to be a police officer until one in my town told me that I would be killed by the mob for trying to do the job properly. There are still good police officers, but they get held up by red tape and the bad ones that give everyone a bad name. That movie "Walking Tall" wasn't set it Harlem.

Police today are mostly revenue generators. They stop people and write tickets for "crimes" that don't hurt anyone or infringe on anyone else's rights to make money. "Excuse me sir, this citation is because your 3rd brake light is out and you are not wearing your seatbelt."

Phocas @ Nov 24th 2008 11:50AM

Wake UP Sheeple!!!

bboston7 @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:07PM

That's low

Merk @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:09PM

And that's why they call cops "PIGS"

Ball3rAvery33 @ Nov 23rd 2008 11:53PM

Who is "they"....African Americans?

That is ridiculous that cop has no right to do that... he was looking for weed not an xbox wtf.

PeacefulOutrage @ Nov 24th 2008 8:01AM

You don't watch very many movies, do you? I hope you have the question mark after "African-Americans" because you really are ignorant. If you watch older movies you will see everyone call police "pigs". I think it is a slang word that isn't used very often now, like "groovy".

halo 3 sucks. @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:10PM

I'd do the same.

Arno @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:13PM

That's really racist.

"I'm going to hold this because there's been a lot of burglaries in the area and want to make sure nobody will report it stolen."

It doesn't get any worse or more blatant than that. The guy should have been more up on it though and taken the guys badge number.

wickedpheonix @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:19PM

yeah I agree. That's grounds for a civil suit because it assumes that the man was guilty of theft even though there was no evidence to the contrary. Innocent until proven guilty - on the road the officer was not able to say with reasonable certainty that the Xbox was stolen, just a hunch. It's like if a cop passes by a house where he can hear two people sleeping together inside, and he barges in because there's a good chance that a minor lives inside and that a statutory rape is occuring.

Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 23rd 2008 6:32PM

These police officers should be held to a higher standard than regular citizens. They are expected to uphold the law and a blatant abuse of power like this that is also racially motivated further lowers citizens confidence in the police. Not to mention it makes them wary of even calling the police for fear of being taken advantage of. The Orange County Sheriffs department better make this good real quick and discipline the offending officer.

Total abuse of power, racist stereotyping police bullshit. All I have to say is what's next? They going to knock on my door and take my possessions?

007craft @ Nov 24th 2008 7:56AM

There was no racism involved here. and Im proud of the black guy for not using the racist card. The police officer took the xbox because of exactly what the black dude said, its the way he dressed and looked. You look like a thug, your treated like a thug (even if your not one). The fact that he was black had nothing to do with it. If the cop saw some white rapper kid all blinged out dressed like that he would of taken the xbox as well.

Im sure if that black guy was dressed like carlton banks (fresh prince), the cop would NOT of taken the 360.

Why must everyone throw the racist card out there? Again im proud of the guy for not saying "They took it cause im black"

In a final note, it says at the end of the video the xbox was not found cause it had not been put into evidence yet. Sounds to me like the douche cop took it home to play or something. Im sure the guy will get it back tho.

Urza @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:14PM

Hmm.

firerock @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:19PM

Damn...and I live at OC.

Note to myself: never travel with x360 in the back seats...

Andrew @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:23PM

If you're white and middle class you don't have to worry about a thing!

Zac LaCombe @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:33PM

Well, I'm glad I'm white and middle class then! Go white devil!

/sarcasm

I'm a Cookie Addict @ Nov 23rd 2008 8:14PM

I always have my 360 in the back seat of my car when I'm going places! He loves the company of me and anyone else in the car. He doesn't really like it when I leave him at home with the t.v turned on, he gets all hot and mad and likes to scratch stuff, LIKE A PISSE OFF CAT!1!!1!!1!

Mike @ Nov 23rd 2008 9:20PM

@I'm a Cookie Addict:
Does it have pink hearts painted on the sides?

MDJ2010 @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:45PM

What Ya Gonna Do When They Come For You?!?

Sora @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:56PM

I dunno, probably bribe them with Krispy Kreme gift cards...

MC Double Def DP @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:47PM

Maybe he should save up his money for a new TV! That TV can't even handle Atari.

triscuitbiscuit @ Nov 23rd 2008 3:57PM

Or considering that he says he is "poor", he should save his money for something that is not entertainment.

Xerone @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:15PM

@triscuitbiscuit: Who are you to say what he should and should not spend his money on? Unless you are this guy, you don't have a right to say that he should spend his money otherwise. You don't know who he bought it for (it is the holiday season, last time I checked), what it cost him (Maybe he hasn't gone to the movies or out to dinner for a while), or anything like that.

Everyone needs something to do to relax, or else we'd all be stressed out workaholics.

Autopsy15 @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:41PM

@Xerone

Well you're not really a workaholic if your living off welfare, are you?

Zing!

Highimpact1 @ Nov 23rd 2008 5:10PM

Autopsy15... the ignorance.

And "They smelled marijuana in the car", ya he's Rastafarian that's sorta part of the religion. Man is this guy in for a surprise within the next 2-5 years. Stealing Xbox's and false drug charges are not going to get him places...

Mazrael @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:15PM

What!?
he ran the numbers, & they can't find record of it..
Can't MS find it if it logs in to Live.. send the SWAT in..

Jake @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:32PM

probably took it to replace his that got rrod lol

Chaim Cohen @ Nov 23rd 2008 4:41PM

RODNEY KING!!!

roland @ Nov 23rd 2008 5:39PM

man ... give the guy his xbox back ... all he wants to do is play some gears of war 2 and some fable 2 /.. :)

Graeme Q @ Nov 23rd 2008 5:48PM

Man, I wished I lived in the land of the free......

Oh, wait.

Author X @ Nov 23rd 2008 5:54PM

Yep, let's not forget, everyone.
Some people are just assholes. And cops are people too. I'm totally convinced that cop just saw an opportunity to steal some random guy's Xbox. Coulda been because he was black, or had motley hair, or both, but it's definitely the cop just being an asshole, not some kind of conspiracy.
Shoulda got the cop's name, I have that problem with customer service, where some dick gives you shitty info and when you find out you can only go "Uh... it was... some guy. The guy that's been screwing people over."

liquidmark @ Nov 23rd 2008 6:26PM

Well, here's the thing...

Asshole cop or not, the police department is completely liable here. They hired the offending officer.

Being 'human' is not a luxury allowed to police officers when they are in uniform or wear the badge.

They are there to uphold the law, not break it.

Can't blame the victim here. He let the officer leave with his 360, he was probably intimidated.

Seeing as police are TRAINED to intimidate people, it isn't beyond the stretch of reason that he was too shook to ask for the officer's name.

Author X @ Nov 23rd 2008 7:45PM

Well yeah, they're liable. It's just that whenever I see something like this, there's people who act like it's a conspiracy, or it proves something about all cops. And definitely not saying it's the victim's fault - it's the cop's fault, of course. It's just that I doubt the rest of the police force can really do much at this point, except shrug and say "well, we don't have any record, or any way to know who stopped you."

Ryan @ Nov 23rd 2008 6:42PM

I hope he calls a good lawyer. This police department needs a good lawsuit. They had no probably cause to take his property.

liquidmark @ Nov 23rd 2008 6:18PM

Simple solution.

1) The police department should reimburse this man with a new 360 and 6 games. The offending officer's pay should be docked to reimburse the police department

2) The police department should tender a written apology.

3) The police department should pay the man an additional sum or the man should sue for punitive damages.

Why?

Because their seizure of his property was flat-out illegal. No way around it.

The property wasn't reported stolen and asking a person to tender a receipt is outlandish at best.

If it isn't reported stolen, then it ISN'T stolen. If you THINK it is stolen, but have no PROOF or even a REPORT saying that it is stolen, then it ISN'T stolen!

And no, failing to tender a receipt is NOT proof of stolen property!

In fact, when the officer illegally seized his property, the police department STOLE from him.

Author X @ Nov 23rd 2008 7:50PM

Actually, despite what I said above, I totally agree with you that they should compensate the guy. Whether or not they approve or condone of his actions, he stole the xbox using the authority they granted him.
They may not be able to find his Xbox, but that's certainly something they can do for him.

the ninja @ Nov 24th 2008 8:56PM

thats bogus!
now that it made the news he'll prolly get his merch back.

Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 23rd 2008 6:25PM

This was obviously race related. This cop should not only be reprimanded but should also have to take racial sensitivity training. I don't know that the officer shouldn't be fired but without knowing any of the officers prior record I will give him the benefit of the doubt and assume it was his first offense.

If the police can't figure out which cop in the department took the 360 then they have much bigger issues with their Internal Affairs investigations. If I still lived in Orange County, Florida (Orlando area) I would take a break from protesting at Casey Anthony's house and protest in front of the police department headquarters. If the guy doesn't get his 360 back lets hope all of the national media outlets pick this story up and blow it out of the water.

Damn cops thinking they are above the law pisses me off. Racist pig bitches.

jarhead906 @ Nov 23rd 2008 9:27PM

Very probable it was a race issue, but don't be one of those people that jump to that conclusion.

As many have already stated, it could have been an asshole cop that jumped at the chance to take the Xbox. Perhaps the difference in race was the thing that allowed the cop to take it without challenge, but assuming the cop is racist IS quite a leap.

Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 23rd 2008 9:47PM

By the description that the victim gave of his recollection it's pretty safe to assume it's a race issue. Whether it's white on black or black on black crime race was certainly an issue.

Why should I give the offending officer any though of innocence when he played judge & jury himself with this man. He didn't give the victim any benefit of the doubt or presumption of innocence so I won't give any either. In my mind he is a racist, power hungry nazi.

yolarrydabomb @ Nov 23rd 2008 6:57PM

hell the cops would of took his mouse pad. if it was laying on the dash.

Jonathan Bagley @ Nov 23rd 2008 8:02PM

I am just wondering what happened to innocent until proven guilty. The cop "assumed" the xbox was stolen and had no evidence that it was, but took it anyway. I think the guy should report the xbox as stolen and bring the cop up on charges.

Damien @ Nov 23rd 2008 8:08PM

Sooo... how do they know that this guy isnt bullshitting? I mean everyone is quick to jump the police in this situation but all you've got is HIS word for it. That's it. And I'm more inclined to believe the police than a guy that looks like he belongs in the gutter trying to make up stories.

nate @ Nov 23rd 2008 8:25PM

Exactly what I was thinking...if there's no report of him being stopped to identify the officer involved then how do we even know he was stopped and the officer took his Xbox?! I call shenanigans!!

Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 23rd 2008 9:38PM

That kind of blame the victim mentality and racist rhetoric is why America is moving backwards. You honestly believe the guy made all of this up to get attention? Come on man you would rather say a black man (who doesn't live up to your standards of appearance) is making this up??!?! Who would ever make such a story up anyway?

This is racism and your attitude only helps to give the benefit of the doubt to the offender as opposed to the alleged victim. Your pathetic.

bigmac8855601 @ Nov 23rd 2008 11:11PM

@Damien

Except that he still had the Xbox 360 Arcade Box and THE FUCKING RECEIPT. Were you paying any attention to the story? That's why no one is blaming the victim, he didn't do anything wrong, and I don't think he's bullshitting at all. Idiot....

and @ Nate
You really think the asshole cop would MAKE THE REPORT and record of him stopping the guy to take his xbox?? Are you retarded? The cop may be a fucking asshole and son of a bitch, but he's not that stupid.