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The Courts Government Entertainment Games News

Playing GTA On Phone Leads To Bomb Threat? 75

Posted by simoniker from the whoops dept.
SteelGator writes "You're playing a relaxing game of Grand Theft Auto with a friend's child. You're also on the phone with a co-worker who's at a restaurant. As a warning to the child, you say "There's a bomb in the building. Everyone needs to get out!" Your co-worker thinks it's a real bomb threat. Uh oh!" While awaiting trial, perhaps this guy could check out a new screenshot from GTA: San Andreas, showing lead character Carl Johnson (extravagant rumors claim to be voiced by 50 Cent?) "outside the Los Santos convention center, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the home of E3."
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Playing GTA On Phone Leads To Bomb Threat? More

Playing GTA On Phone Leads To Bomb Threat?

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  • oy vey (Score:3, Insightful)

    by susehat ( 558997 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:34AM (#9259163)
    Once again, Evidence that you should not do stuff like that. At the very least, cover the phone's mouthpiece before you do that. Fecking idiots.

  • Stupid is... (Score:4, Funny)

    by jbarr ( 2233 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:35AM (#9259168) Homepage
    ...as stupid does.

  • Wow... (Score:1, Redundant)

    by Mz6 ( 741941 ) *
    just wow...

    I can't believe that... *sigh*

  • Why him? (Score:4, Interesting)

    by bnewendorp ( 764839 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:44AM (#9259257)
    Are the prosecuting the person who took him seriously also? You'd think that the person on the phone at the restaurant would have said something like "Are you talking to me?" or "How do you know?"
    • I was wondering that too. The article says they had to trace the call to see where it came from the fact they say "conversation with a friend" is obviously exaggerrated because the friend didn't even know who was on the phone.

  • I was shot 5000000000 times... (Score:4, Funny)

    by gl4ss ( 559668 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:44AM (#9259259) Homepage Journal
    .. Then I woke up at the hospital and started the mission from scratch!

    .

  • Sigh... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Schezar ( 249629 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:44AM (#9259263) Homepage Journal
    How could something this -dumb- happen? Seriously, I'm baffled. Wouldn't the conversation have gone something along the lines of:

    Bob: blah blah blah.
    Steve: blah blah blah there's a bomb in the building.
    Bob: Blah.. What?
    Steve: Oh, just talking to my kid.
    Bob: Ahh.. Anyway, blah blah blah...

    They don't give us enough information, but judging from that fact that two intelligent, rational people would have had a conversation similar to the above, I can't but determine that at least one of the people involved was indeed a complete moron. A tool, if you will. One of the parties involved had to have overreacted in the extreme. There was absolutely no possible excuse for this getting out of hand, and one of both of these gentlemen are asshats of the highest (lowest?) calibre.

    Sorry, I'm just really -really- tired of people being dumb. It's been a long day, and it isn't even lunchtime yet.

    • Re:Sigh... (Score:4, Insightful)

      by GigsVT ( 208848 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:50AM (#9259331) Journal
      They said they used caller ID to trace the call... Apparently the coworker didn't know he was talking to the other guy, which indicates someone just called, said the crap and hung up.

      It sounds to me more like this guy tried to play a prank on his coworker, got in serious shit over it, and then made up this stupid excuse.
      • WRONG!

        They knew who was calling, but not where he was calling from. The police found him by tracking down the originating phone number.

        And by the way, I don't think GTA has a situation that would result in saying "there's a bomb, get out." Probably a multiplayer terrorist/anti-terrorist game, like a Clancy game on Xbox Live.
      • Maybe it was a pocket dial? The guy playing GTA sat on his phone and dialed the coworker, who picked up the phone to hear this line...that would make more sense.
    • I'm sure the person playing the game couldn't help but almost-shout his comment into the phone because he was on crack, and thus, bright and bubbly. The person on the other end was probably stoned and thus paranoid.

      I'm sure that's the only reason two rational adults would have succumbed to such miscommunication and subsequent hysteria. It's obvious that rational adults are incapable of helping themselves from abusing drugs. Reagan was right! Thank God for the DEA, I don't know how the world survived be

      • Re:Sigh... (Score:1, Offtopic)

        by Cecil ( 37810 )
        he was on crack, and thus, bright and bubbly. The person on the other end was probably stoned and thus paranoid.

        Admittedly I know very little about drugs, but I'm pretty sure it would be the other way around. Cocaine makes you paranoid, marijuana makes you relaxed.

    • Re:Sigh... (Score:5, Funny)

      by sckeener ( 137243 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:58AM (#9259400)
      It could be worse. He could be charged for murder after using this [comics.com].
    • I think the following happened: Steve: -is calling, waiting for Bob to pick up, while waiting he said "blabla, bomb" to kid- Bob: Picks up the phone, hears Steve talking to kid (but doesn't realise it's Steve), freaks, and runs Steve: -Is like- "WTF?"

  • Knee-Jerk Reactions? (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Analise ( 782932 ) * <anaili@@@gmail...com> on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:48AM (#9259306) Homepage Journal
    Seems like it was a bit stupid on the guy playing the game's part when you see what happened to him, but, I'm sure he had no reason to think he would be misinterpreted when he said that. Kinda scary how a relatively innocent comment can be taken so seriously by people. Makes me worry one day that I'll say something about "Augh, so-and-so drives me nuts, I could just kill him/her!" and be hauled up by the police for making a threat on their life. When, you know, I wasn't. Not really. Seems it all could've been avoided. Though am I the only one who finds it kind of odd that the guy's friend disconnected his phone? I mean, would he really have had to worry about getting tons of calls about it?
    • Actually, I know a guy who got brought up on death threat charges for something similar. He said it to the person, though: "I could kill you for that" or something. I think the charges got dropped, but still...

  • Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:50AM (#9259327)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • Re:A Bomb? I don't remeber a Bomb (Score:4, Informative)

      by GigsVT ( 208848 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @10:52AM (#9259349) Journal
      I've played both GTA and Vice City on the PS2 and I can't think of scene where a bomb was in a building I was in and had to maneuver out of...

      What about the RC helicopter mission where you set bombs and then get out before they blow?

      Or the place right after you "KILL ALL THE HAITIANS".. you set bombs there and then must get out before they blow (which is tricky because the way you came in is blocked).

      • Re:A Bomb? I don't remeber a Bomb (Score:4, Funny)

        by sckeener ( 137243 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @11:02AM (#9259432)
        What about the RC helicopter mission where you set bombs and then get out before they blow?

        Or the place right after you "KILL ALL THE HAITIANS".. you set bombs there and then must get out before they blow (which is tricky because the way you came in is blocked).

        I do not think I would need to be told about bombs if I was the one that planted them.
        • I do not think I would need to be told about bombs if I was the one that planted them.

          Yeah, but that's assuming that you have intelligence. Keep in mind that this is the dude who apparently called work, didn't bother identifying himself and then just hung up after saying something about a bomb...
        • Yeah, but the one who was playing the game was a kid. (Which is bad parenting right there, but...). Judging by the things I have to explain to my nine year-old when he's playing video games, I don't doubt that he could have said that at all.

          Kids (well at least mine) tend to not read the instructions, or the on-screen help cause they're boring, and then just push every button to see what they do. Drives me crazy during RPGs...he'll just quickly page through the NPC conversations without reading them, and th

        • Some people need reminding that they purchased something hot after ordering coffee from McDonald's, you insensitive clod.
      • Comment removed based on user account deletion

      • Re:A Bomb? I don't remeber a Bomb (Score:5, Interesting)

        by AzraelKans ( 697974 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @11:28AM (#9259669) Homepage
        What about the RC helicopter mission where you set bombs and then get out before they blow? Or the place right after you "KILL ALL THE HAITIANS".. you set bombs there and then must get out before they blow (which is tricky because the way you came in is blocked).
        So... what would be the point of saying "theres a bomb in the building!" you placed the bomb yourself so you are pretty much aware of it. Also "everyone needs to get out" most of the time you are alone in GTA who exactly is "everybody?".

        The guy pulled a prank and now he is blaming "GTA" about it like everyone else.

        Headline of the future: "A guy gets cancer in his finger WHILE playing GTA!"

        Now, that would have gotten more laughs from me and the guy arrested (sooner) just imagine if he had explained someone how to play manhunt over the phone.
      • Your forgetting the mission in Vice City called "Cop Land" and I reckon that if there is validity between GTA and the article rather than it being a hoax then this is the mission in question.

        IIRC The mission itself revolves around getting into a coffee shop in a mall dressed as a cop and setting off a bomb after one of your lackys botched the job of rigging the bomb in the first place. The mall is swarming with police and thus you need to get some uniforms to get into place. Once you actually get in and f

      • You don't have to get out of the building when you are controlling the RC-helicopter. Obviously, since it's remote controlled, you don't die if the chopper dies.
    • Full of crap.

      From the article the police had to trace the phone not just ask the coworker who it was. This inidicates the "there's a bomb in the building. There's a bomb in the building everyone get out!" is the only thing that he said. Not just slipped into the middle of conversation.

      On a side note how do these news pages pick there related articles.... one was about a clown and child porn how does that relate.
  • Then the co-worker mustn't have know who the call was from, so the guy must have phoned up, said stupid bomb statement and then one of them must have hung up.

    And anyhow, what's he doing letting a child play GTA3?
    • And anyhow, what's he doing letting a child play GTA3?

      In my opinion, if your kid wants to play that game that everyone plays, tbere are two options : Either make use of your parental powah : And say 'no'.
      Or buy the game, and let it be played while you are around : Thus you being able to ridicule most of the things happening in-game, as well as doing something -with- your kid (as opposed to chucking them kids behind a console : 'because its so easy').

      Also, the game spoken of is GTA, which i assume would

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Let me be the first to say (Score:5, Funny)

    by Discoflamingo13 ( 90009 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @11:06AM (#9259475) Homepage Journal
    Has this ever happened to you? [penny-arcade.com]

    • I predict the future (Score:4, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @11:49AM (#9259883)
      In no less than 2 years, games.slashdot will consist of a news post, followed by moderated posts conisting only of the dates of PA comics (we'll be too lazy to link). We'll all laugh, and then distribute karma appropriately.
      • In no less than 2 years, games.slashdot will consist of a news post, followed by moderated posts conisting only of the dates of PA comics (we'll be too lazy to link). We'll all laugh ...

        If you think Penny Arcade will actually start being funny within two years, you are far more optimistic than I.
    • What's the story here? American Greeting? [penny-arcade.com]

      • Re:WTF? (Score:1, Informative)

        by Anonymous Coward
        The original comic is here [duckies.org]. This was just after American Mcgee's Oz had been announced, so they parodied it. American Greetings, a large greeting card company, owns Strawberry Shortcake. They threatened legal action, so it was removed. Of course, this being the internet, the banned comic immediatley reappeared on countless other sites. They later parodied the company [penny-arcade.com], and discussed it in the newsposts for that day [penny-arcade.com].

      • Re:WTF? (Score:2, Informative)

        by KirkH ( 148427 )
        They made a comic about "American McGee's Strawberry Shortcake" and American Greetings threatened to sue since they hold the copyright to said Miss Shortcake.

        They took down the comic to avoid a fight, but continued to ridicule AG from thereafter. If you Google for Penny Arcade and Strawberry Shortcake, you can probably find the original comic since some fans managed to save it before it was taken down.

  • Er.. yeah right. (Score:4, Informative)

    by AzraelKans ( 697974 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @11:16AM (#9259559) Homepage
    The guy did it on purpose and now he is trying to blame a game. There are no bombs in buildings in GTA (3) or GTA(4 Vice city) and you play alone so "everyone needs to get out" makes no sense. (maybe they were playing rainbow six?).

    Anyway (unless he actually shouted it out) that was a private conversation no one needed to eavesdrop to, they could be talking about a movie or anything else. If I was this guy lawyer he wouldnt pay a cent, and I would probably sue whoever DID spread the panic (who is a paranoid idiot by the way).

    • Re:Er.. yeah right. (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Coltman ( 623132 )
      Why is everyone on this Alone thing. Haven't you ever just sat and watched a kid play and gave hints to them? I usually call that playing with them. And there a few bombs in buildings in GTA VC. One in the mall, one using the RC Helicopter.

      Perhaps the guy was sitting with the kid 'Watching' him play and somehow hit the speed dial (yes ppl do that with work numbers) accidentally (because the phone was on the chair and he was kinda sitting on it) and then yelled 'Bomb in the building.Everyone get out!hahah

  • A little wierd... (Score:4, Insightful)

    by kabocox ( 199019 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @11:27AM (#9259654)
    The friend could not be reached for comment Tuesday because his phone has been disconnected, and BellSouth has no new listing for him.

    I wouldn't call the co-worker "a friend" if he gets me arrested. Sounds like he is hiding out now so no one can ask him why he over reacted and got some arrested.

  • The story was vague, but here's what I think. (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Bistronaut ( 267467 ) on Wednesday May 26, 2004 @11:37AM (#9259765) Homepage Journal

    Here's a possible (and I think most likely) situation for you:

    Person "A" is playing some game with his cell phone in his pocket and has forgotten to lock the key pad. He accidentally dials person "B" while he's talking about bombs or something in his video game. Person "B" doesn't realize what happened and makes a fuss. The cops get called in and track down person "A". Felony charges ensue.

    If that was the case, then I don't think a crime actually occured - if anything, person "B" or the restaurant manager are at fault. Did they actually talk to the guy on the phone? Did they try to call him back? I would have looked for a bit more confirmation before I called the cops and evacuated the restuarant.

  • Bills of Materials, BOMs, should never be discussed in airports, either.
  • about somebody playing GTA with a child.

    Coincidence?

    Next week: parent sues school after Manhunt show-and-tell scars boy for life.
  • I think the posters "story" is Hypothetical...the main point of the post was the new GTAandreas screen shot.
  • Never greet your friend Jack when on an airplane" [detnews.com]. There's a deleted scene in the movie Airplane! that had this exact gag. Sort of similar, except what the restaurant guy said can't be misconstrued as anything else.

  • Convict: ...that teller wouldn't give me the money so I just shot that bitch. So, what are you in here for?

    Jones: sheeeeeeeeet, grand theft auto... for real man.

    What a wacky situation. I feel sorry for that guy, he must be pissed at his friend.

    -RPG

  • If you change this:
    "You're playing a relaxing game of Grand Theft Auto with a friend's child. You're also on the phone with a co-worker who's at a restaurant. As a warning to the child, you say "There's a bomb in the building. Everyone needs to get out!"

    Into this:
    You're paying a relaxing game of Hitman: Contracts with a friend's child. You're also on the phone with a co-worker who's at a restaurant. As a warning to the child you say "The building is full of mentally ill people, run like hell!"

    If you

  • I seem to remember something else vaguely similar to this a while back. Somebody at an airport said, as a joke, that she had a bomb in her bag. IIRC, she was given a fine and held in custody for a total of 1 night.

    This guy, on the other hand, made a mistake. Maybe he didn't, but let's just assume he did. A genuine accident. He could be in jail for 15 years, and has a $5k bail.

    I dunno about you, but I'd've thought a joke, where it was entirely intentional, would get a worse punishment than a mistake. Espec

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