Theft of Computer Hardware

There have been occasions where the theft of computer hardware, specifically computer memory chips, made them more valuable than cocaine on a pound for pound weight basis.

This occurred after the fire and earthquake in Kobe where one of the major memory production plants was destroyed and this disrupted some 25% of the world memory supply.

Ram raiding of premises with computers became common and either the computers were stolen completely or shipments of memory were hijacked from container lorries.

Some specialised hardware is often stolen 'to order', typically this has been Sun and Apple equipment. Often the premises are burgled again just days after the new equipment is installed.