Night thieves make off with DRam packs

Altrincham distributor European Micro was robbed on 21 November, losing up to #300,000 worth of IBM and Compaq memory products in the raid.

Richard Brunton, the distributor's marketing manager, said it was the second break-in the company has suffered within a year.

The balaclava-wearing thieves struck as the warehouse manager was leaving, forcing him back into the building. He was beaten up and cuffed, and his vehicle was used to escape with the kit.

The IBM and Compaq memory modules represent the company's most profitable product lines. A raft of cheap 16-bit and 32-bit DRam memory is expected in the channel.

The products were removed in their original packaging, which makes them easier to sell, Brunton told PC Dealer. He appealed to dealers to be vigilant.

'If resellers take a note of who's offering them memory, maybe it can be traced back. We have details of the serial numbers.'

Brunton did not know whether the two robberies were related.