Before gamers could even get their hands on it, 2,810 new Nintendo Switch 2 consoles were stolen from a cargo truck in a heist that sounds straight out of a video game.
According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, 2,810 of the latest versions of Nintendo’s hit gaming consoles were taken from the truck. With the retail value of each console being approximately $500, the total value of the heist exceeds $1.4 million.
Deputies reportedly responded to a rest stop in Bennett, around 37 miles (60km) from Denver in Colorado, the US, where the semi-truck driver informed law enforcement that he had just discovered someone had broken into the vehicle during the pre-trip inspection.
The driver did not know exactly what was in the truck, only that it contained games or toys.
To date, no arrests have been made. As the consoles are stolen, they can be expected to appear on the dark web or be sold on local cash markets.
However, the new Nintendo consoles each have a unique serial number, which can be tracked by the company. Additionally, the device can be “bricked” by the company, rendering it unplayable. So, unsuspecting consumers could potentially be scammed with these devices.
Investigators seek information in $1.4 million cargo heist of Nintendo Switch 2 games
— Arapahoe Sheriff (@ArapahoeSO) June 17, 2025
On June 8, 2025, at 8:10 a.m., patrol deputies were dispatched to the Love's Truck Stop at 1191 S. 1st St. in the @TownofBennett, after a high-dollar cargo heist took place. A semi-truck driver… pic.twitter.com/3d0ZVe5bSF
This Nintendo Switch 2 theft is far from an isolated case. Here’s a look at some of the most audacious gaming-related heists in recent memory:
The PlayStation 5 heists of 2020
In 2020, during the initial release of Sony’s PlayStation 5, UK criminal gangs engaged in a series of “rollover” robberies targeting delivery trucks carrying the consoles.
These gangs reportedly used their vehicles to box in a truck, with one of the members climbing inside to steal the cargo, often including the new PS5s. These robberies were particularly prevalent during the holiday season when the volume of high-value goods being transported was higher.
The Xbox Series X shipment theft in 2020
In the US, during the initial release of the Xbox Series X in November 2020, reports surfaced of missing deliveries, with some customers suspecting theft by delivery drivers, according to news reports. These issues were primarily reported to Amazon and FedEx, who launched investigations into the missing consoles. The high demand and limited stock of the consoles at the time exacerbated the problem, as some customers who received refunds were unable to find replacements. The stolen consoles soon appeared on sites like eBay at two to three times the retail price.
GTA-style robbery of man’s ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ copy
A 23-year-old man was attacked and robbed as he walked home from an Asda superstore in North West London over 11 years ago.
He had just picked up the latest Grand Theft Auto release from the local Asda supermarket when he was targeted and robbed by a group of attackers. Among the stolen items was his freshly purchased copy of the game.
The EB Games truck heist
In 2013, two men were caught in the act while attempting a late-night robbery spree in Canada using a stolen van. They rammed the front entrance of one of the EB Games outlets in Hamilton, Ontario, and made off with a shipment of video game consoles and merchandise.
Shortly afterwards, they targeted a nearby East Hamilton Radio. But their getaway was cut short when a police officer caught them at the scene and took them into custody.
The suspects, aged 23 and 27, both from Hamilton, appeared in bail court later that morning, facing multiple charges.
VR gaming truck theft of 2025
In March 2025, a major theft took place at Beenleigh in Queensland, Australia, involving the disappearance of a VR gaming truck. The stolen vehicle (a bright red 2007 Isuzu) contained more than $100,000 worth of virtual reality and 3D gaming gear vital to the livelihood of local business owner Tim Pintilie.
The incident occurred around 6.30pm on March 7, just as a cyclone was nearing the coast. CCTV footage captured two suspects wearing high-visibility shirts as they hot-wired the truck and battled through harsh weather conditions during their escape. At one point, one of them had to step out to reconnect a battery terminal, slipping on the rain-slicked pavement in the process.
As gaming technology evolves, consoles become increasingly valuable and in demand. The question remains—will console manufacturers and law enforcement be able to combat the subsequent rise in crime?
