A man in his 40s, identified only by the last name 'G', was arrested on the 23rd of this month, just one day after allegedly stealing three boxes of high-value graphics processing units (GPUs) from a computer parts store in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The arrest took place at a motel in Jincheon, where police had tracked him down following an investigation into the burglary that occurred early in the morning of the 22nd. The GPUs, valued at over 20 million Korean won, were targeted using a hammer drill to break into the premises.

During the crime, G utilized a rented truck from a friend to evade police attention, parking it near the store before making his escape through a wooded area without CCTV coverage. After the theft, he managed to sell two of the stolen GPU boxes through an online marketplace, receiving substantial payments for the items, which are currently in high demand due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage characterized as 'chipflation.' The police are working to recover the sold GPUs by tracing them back through the marketplace.

Investigations suggested that G's actions were driven by economic necessity, as he is a day laborer. The police are set to apply for an arrest warrant for him, with concerns raised regarding the potential increase in similar thefts targeting valuable electronic components amid rising prices and demand influenced by the booming artificial intelligence sector, which has surged the need for GPUs.