Four GameStop stores in several cities in California were robbed at gunpoint in 2018. The robber, Frederick Lopez Jr., has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Lopez Jr. stole $131,000 dollars in merchandise and $1,300 in cash across the four robberies. An investigation by local police departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined that the robber walked into the GameStop stores late at night, brandished a gun, and demanded employees to fill store bags with consoles, video games and cash. Lopez Jr. was arrested in March 2019, and plead guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in August 2019.
To some, the robber's sentence may seem severe for the crimes he committed, however, the sentence was determined to be due to a combination of the dollar amount stolen and the threat of violence he posed to the employees. Prosecutors believe that many of the employees may have psychological damage from being held at gunpoint. In addition to the 10 year sentence, Lopez Jr. must pay $132,300 in restitution. Restitution would be paid back to GameStop, who is struggling financially with the evolution of digital shopping.
GameStop is pushing for structure changes to keep up with the market. Last year, GameStop faced the toughest challenge last year as its stock plummeted. GameStop laid off many employees in an attempt to restructure and keep the company afloat. Even though there are about 4,000 GameStop stores in the US, four being robbed creates a fear for employee safety and comfort.
During one of the robberies in West Covina, California, employees were held at gunpoint and locked in the back room. One of the GameStop employees was then forced to carry merchandise to a minivan parked nearby. None of the employees were physically injured, but being put in that situation is tragic.
The employees at GameStop affected cannot take back the situation they faced, but can seek support from their peers. The video game industry is evolving into a widely positive culture, where many prominent figures are pushing for mental health awareness.
Source: Kotaku