Pokémon Go Robbers: Armed Robbers Targeting Game Users Arrested In Missouri

Armed robbers, who had been using Pokémon Go to track and target would-be victims, were arrested in Missouri on Sunday.

Pokémon Go Robbers

Four people in Missouri, ranging in age from 16 to 18, were arrested in a CVS parking lot, reported The Guardian. The group had been using the smart phone game app Pokémon Go to geo-locate players, and to prey upon those in vulnerable locations. Ahead of Sunday’s arrest, they allegedly pulled off similar armed robberies in St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri.

“Using the geolocation feature the robbers were able to anticipate the location and level of seclusion of unwitting victims,” said Sgt. Bill Stringer.

A department spokesperson explained, “You can add a beacon to a pokestop to lure more players. Apparently they were using the app to locate [people] standing around in the middle of a parking lot or whatever other location they were in.”

The police have also released a statement to warn Pokémon Go players of the potential hazards: “Seeing a Pikachu on the sidewalk in front of you is a fan’s digital dream come true. If you use this app (or other similar type apps) or have children that do we ask you to please use caution when alerting strangers of your future location.”