A 22-year-old Davis man was beaten and robbed early Friday morning while playing the popular “Pokémon Go” game on his cell phone, according to Davis police.
Lt. Paul Doroshov said the victim was walking in the area of Fourth and L streets at about 1:30 a.m. when he was approached by multiple suspects who struck him several times and knocked him to the ground.
“On the ground, the victim was kicked. The suspects grabbed the victim’s wallet and cell phone and fled the area,” Doroshov said. “Because the victim was caught by surprise, he could only describe the suspects as three white males.”
The victim was transported to Sutter Davis Hospital for treatment of his injuries. The case remains under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to call the Davis Police Department at 530-747-5400.
As more reports of robberies and accidents involving “Pokémon Go” players have surfaced, law-enforcement agencies across the country have issued safety tips for players, such as these from the New York Police Department:
* Be alert at all times;
* Stay aware of your surroundings;
* Play in pairs or as a group to ensure your safety;
* Do not drive or ride your bike, skateboard or other device while interacting with the game app — you can’t do both safely;
* Do not trespass onto private property or go into areas you usually would not if you weren’t playing “Pokémon Go”;
* Tell your kids about “stranger danger.” The app may draw strangers together at real-life “Pokéstops”; and
* Players and parents also should be aware of third-party software apps claiming to enhance the gaming experience; however, these apps only give access to sensitive data such as name, email and calendar information.