'Pokemon GO' Update: Baltimore Sees Rise In Accidents, Robberies Thanks To Popular Game [VIDEO]
Pokémon GO might have successfully encouraged people of all ages to get off their couches and explore their physical surroundings, but the hyper-popular augmented reality game has also landed a number of players in hot water. In the United States, Baltimore has become a city where numerous Pokémon GO-related incidents have happened since the game was launched.
The Baltimore County police recently announced that a 19-year-old man from Carroll County had been physically attacked while playing the game at night. The man, whose name has been withheld, had allegedly been punched, kicked and robbed by three suspects as the man was looking for the titular pocket monsters in Patriot Plaza.
According to county police department's director of public affairs Elise Armacost, the man's cellphone was stolen during the incident, which happened at around 11:45 p.m. on July 13. The man was eventually rushed and treated in a local hospital, due to his injuries resulting from the attack. Armacost further stated that the incident is currently under investigation.
Pokémon GO-related crimes have unfortunately been on the rise as the game quickly gained popularity worldwide. Prior to the Baltimore police's announcement, a number of other robberies and similar crimes had been reported in the city. However, unlike the July 13 incident, the previous robberies usually resulted in the muggers simply taking off with their victim's things.
It is not only the players of the game that have been victimized, however, as a police cruiser was also accidentally sideswiped by a Pokèmon GO player on Monday. The driver of the vehicle, who was playing the game at the time of the accident, immediately owned up to his mistake. The Baltimore police have stated that they are currently working on determining what charges to file against the driver.
Pokémon GO has become a worldwide phenomenon. However, the real-world dangers of having to go around actual physical places at different times of the day have become very prominent as of late. Speaking on Tuesday, Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith advised the Pokémon GO community in the city to take necessary measures when playing the game.
"Way too many people have their heads buried in their phones trying to catch a Pokemon, and the criminals are catching them. This is no different than texting and driving, changing a CD, putting on makeup or eating a sandwich. You have to pay attention while driving," he said.
