Berkeley Police Issue Warnings Following Pokémon Go Robberies
BERKELEY (KPIX 5) – Police in Berkeley have issued a warning to players of the popular Pokémon Go smartphone game after at least three people were robbed.
Two of the robberies took place near the University of California, Berkeley campus, according to police.
One of the victims told police she was playing the game when she noticed two people following her. She tried to change directions and get away, but ultimately, they knocked her down stealing her phone and her purse.
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Another man in Berkeley said he was playing the game when someone jumped out of a waiting car, snatching his phone and wallet. In that case, the driver and passenger were arrested.
Police urge Pokémon Go players to pay attention to their surroundings, to keep phones put away until arriving at a destination and, if possible, to play with a large group of friends.
The warning was issued in the wake of a deadly shooting of a Pokémon Go player in San Francisco last weekend. On Saturday, 20-year old Calvin Riley was shot and killed in Aquatic Park near Fisherman's Wharf while playing the game. No arrests have been made yet in that case.
