Attempted Robbery Of Pokémon Go Players Leads To Shootout In Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (CBS SF) – A shootout took place in a Las Vegas early Monday morning after a man attempted to rob a group playing the Pokémon Go smartphone game, police said.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, police said a man in a vehicle drew a gun on six Pokémon Go players at a city park around 4 a.m., demanding their money and property.
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One of the players retrieved his own gun and both men exchanged gunfire, police said. The Pokémon Go player had a concealed weapons permit.
Police said the suspect and one of the game players suffered gunshot wounds that were not life threatening.
The suspect and a juvenile were arrested, police said.
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Robberies have been a concern since the game, developed by San Francisco-based Niantic, was released earlier this month. Law enforcement agencies across the country, including San Francisco police, have issued warnings for players to be mindful of their surroundings.
"If you get the sense you are being followed or set-up for a robbery, head to a lighted area with people around," San Francisco police said in a statement.
In San Francisco, at least two robberies involving Pokémon Go players have been reported. On July 10th, San Francisco police said two men robbed a brother and sister of their phones on Silver Avenue. The suspects were arrested several days later.
A woman playing in Chinatown had her phone snatched on the evening of July 22nd, police said Monday. The suspect has not been found.
