Pokémon Go Players Robbed At Gunpoint In Dallas
DALLAS (CBDSFW.COM) - In less than two weeks, two separate groups of Pokémon Go players were robbed at gunpoint near White Rock Lake.
The first robbery happened on July 22 , around 1:30 a.m. Dallas Police said four women in their 20s, playing Pokémon Go were the targets. They were walking near the 4800 block of West Lawther Drive, when two suspects demanded they hand over their cellphones.
The latest victim were two brothers, who often play after dark to avoid the heat of the day.
"It was a Pokespot. There were two right next to each other so who wouldn't stop there?" asked Chris, 20. He and his brother Mark were out with two friends. They were headed back to their car when a stranger approached. "He said, 'Hey, you got change for a $20?' I had the door open and he's checking the inside of the car."
Sensing danger, the friends drove off, but quickly noticed a strange car following them.
"We heard like a pop. Like a gunshot," Chris said. The would-be robbers made sure the group knew they had a gun.
As they approached East Mockingbird Lane along West Lawther Drive, Chris said the driver tried blocking them in.
They shattered his driver side mirror and attempted to take their phones by force. After a confrontation, the robbers took the keys to Chris' car, but did not take the vehicle.
His brother Mark said he's taking a break from the game for a while.
"There was traffic and everything because so many people were playing the game. I didn't think that would actually happen to us. I was like, 'wow this is actually happening.' "
He said while they were out late at night, they were not in a desolate area when they were targeted. In fact, there were many other groups of people playing the game too.
Dallas Police say there were two other armed robberies in the area during that same two week time span, but they do not believe those victims were playing Pokémon Go when they were robbed.
Police remind players to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
They encourage players to travel in pairs, and only visit well-lit areas. They should avoid secluded spots, particularly at night.
Parents should set limits on where kids can travel without an adult, and be mindful of city curfew rules for teenagers.
