Writing up stories about bands' whose gear has been stolen from their van is becoming more and more common as the years press on, it seems. While these thefts happen all over the world and could really be committed by any number of individuals, the Houston Police Department, alongside nearby Pasadena and Baytown Police Departments and the Department of Homeland Security, have busted one particularly large ring of gear thieves.
130 people overall were arrested for being a part of the ring, and the bust has resulted in over 200 charges. According to Saving Country Music, more individuals are under investigation.
"Our CID detectives presented our finding to the DA’s office, and showed that this was not an organized crime ring in the traditional sense, but it was mainly criminals working in groups of 10, that were interchanging groups based on their job skills, and the geographical locations of targeted property. Reviews of past sentencing demonstrated that these individual were on average receiving nine months of time, but would only serve about half of that amount. However enhancement of the charge to engaging in organized criminal activity for these individuals would now subject them to a 10 to 15 year prison sentence.”
I know – we got the news from a country music site and the whole thing was because of a country musician getting his fiddle stolen, but let's be real. That's 130+ people that aren't trying to break into your metal band's van outside a club to jack your instruments, laptops, phones, and whatever else, and that's fantastic news.
I think it's also worth mentioning that while this happened in Texas, it's a major crime ring. I can't imagine that this bust is just going to be good news for Texans alone.
[via Alt Press]
