December 12^th, 2004 (1:46pm) - People are often quick to blame violent videogames such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for crimes committed amongst youths. Well, ABC Eyewitness News in Houston, TX is reporting that a Grand Theft Auto game actually saved the lives of a family and their possessions.

Earlier this year in March, Sandy Wilson had been taking care of her three grandsons when four gun-wielding men broke into her home with the intention of stealing her valuables.

At the time, Mrs. Wilson’s grandchildren had been playing a Grand Theft Auto game and because of random police messages shouted out during the game, such as "This is the police! You’re surrounded!," scared the burglars who believed they had actually been surrounded by police outside of the home, not knowing that the messages came from the videogame. Out of fear of being captured, the burglars ran from the crime scene.

"The police in the game were saying, ’Stop, we have you surrounded. This is the police,’" explained Galveston County Asst. DA Michael Elliott. "The burglar, unknowingly, thought this was the actual police and panicked ... apprehended by Playstation."

"Thinking that it was pretty funny," recalled young victim Chaze Fisher. "How they were, like, ran off, and they got all scared over a game."

Police arrested the four men. Samuel Woodrow received a five-year prison sentence this week. Ronnie Farris is serving four years. Lucas Griffin got probation. And Zachary Brandenburg’s trial is in January.