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Chips are down for RAM burglars
Blockhead thieves leg it with faulty goods
GSI has become the latest memory distributor to be hit by a DRAM robbery, but was today having the last laugh. The Essex company had around 500 memory modules stolen last night, comprising 32MB, 64MB and 128MB PC100 DIMMs. This is the second RAM robbery in the UK in as many days. Dane-Elec was stung in the early hours of yesterday morning. Both attacks come as DRAM prices, already rising as demand outstrips supply, have accelerated further thanks to the Taiwanese earthquake. The collapse in DRAM prices of previous years dramatically reduced the rewards of RAM theft -- time was when burglars would nick the memory from office PCs rather than the machines themselves. However, Dane-Elec and GSI's experiences suggest thieves may be once more targetting memory suppliers with a vengeance. GSI said the robbers were unable to saw through the bars on the metal security cage protecting the warehouse so they broke in through a window. But despite being a victim of crime, GSI was able to laugh at the thieves' own misfortune. According to Dean Johnson, GSI operations director, the robbers only got away with returns -- all the stock taken was faulty. Johnson said: "Luckily they only stole returned modules. If anyone gets offered cheap product that doesn't work, please contact GSI." GSI can be contacted on 01376 505700. In the meantime, the company said it had doubled its security measures. ®