Big Score: Thieves Stole Two Nvidia Trailers Hoping to Get AI Equipment, But Instead Got 18 Tons of Sand

Police continue to investigate. No arrests have been made in the case so far.

An unusual theft occurred in California: criminals stole two trailers with Nvidia and PlusAI (a developer of technologies for autonomous trucks) logos, but instead of expensive equipment, they found almost 18 tons of sand inside.

According to Wired, the incident took place in Newark. A PlusAI executive received a congratulatory message from an acquaintance who noticed two branded trailers near his workplace. The problem was that the trailers were supposed to be in the parking lot near the company's warehouse about half a mile away.

PlusAI employees contacted the police, after which both trailers were found and returned. They were equipped with PlusAI and Nvidia logos, as the companies collaborate in the field of artificial intelligence software and autonomous driving technologies.

PlusAI representative Lauren Kwan said that the trailers were locked with manual locks, which the criminals broke. Then, they presumably attached their own tractors to the trailers and drove them off the company's premises.

However, there were no servers, Nvidia graphics processors, or other valuable equipment inside. Each trailer was carrying approximately 9 tons of sand. PlusAI explained that the company uses such simulated loads to conduct research and test its technologies.

According to Kwan, after the trailers were returned, all 18 tons of sand remained in place.

The technological PlusAI tractors, which are used directly for autonomous driving tests, were not touched by the criminals — they remained inside the company's warehouse.