Pokémon Go Used to Rob Unsuspecting Players

Four teen suspects were arrested for armed robbery on July 10 in Missouri. They have allegedly used the Pokémon Go app to lure unsuspecting victims and trap them in a specific location. The suspects tried to get rid of their handgun, but the officer noticed it as he approached their vehicle. The officer noticed that they had also been suspects in a string of similar robberies in St. Louis and St. Charles counties. All were arrested. The adult suspects were charged with first degree robbery, a felony, and their bonds were set at $100,000 each..

Pokémon Go is a virtual reality game that allows players to catch fictional creatures from the popular Pokémon game from the late 1990's. The group of teens managed the robbery by adding a beacon to a Pokéstop to attract more players. At a certain level of the game, players can meet at landmarks to join teams and battle. The goal is supposed to attract more Pokémon and users, so they can collect items and level up faster.

Some players have been hospitalized after unknowingly going into hazardous locations. One girl in Wyoming even found a dead body in a river. Another Pokéstop was located outside of a home that houses alcoholics and sex offenders. Other concerns about the augmented reality game include distracted driving, player data collection, and Pokéstops being located at cemeteries and the National Holocaust Museum.

Comments from Allen:
Pokemon Go has proven an amazing moneymaker for Nintendo.  I haven't seen this kind of successful marketing since Walt Disney created the Mickey Mouse Club TV show so he could sell stuff to little kids and get their parents to take them to Disneyland, where they could buy mouse hats, mouse balloons, mouse Tshirts and mouse-shaped candy.

Pokemon Go is set up so people can buy things to help them find monsters more quickly and buy alerts to let them know when they are approaching a monster.  Additionally, businesses can pay to have a Pokéstop at their business location to introduce people to their location; these are called "sponsored locations."

In the case of the robbery victims, could these victims sue Nintendo for their losses?  After all, part of the game involves going to locations to meet other Pokemon Go players.

Frankly, I doubt Nintendo is on the hook for losses here. Common sense should tell anyone that you don't go to a remote location at 2:00 a.m. to meet one or more total strangers.

Each case has to be judged on its facts, and apparently in many cases, it appears Pokemon Go players ignored basic common sense.  There was an occasion in Encinitas, California, in which two Pokemon players were so engrossed in the game they walked past a "Danger" sign and right off a cliff.  Game-players have a responsibility to play responsibly and watch out for cliffs and cars and strangers in remote locations at 2:00 a.m..

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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.

Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.

Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents,truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.

Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.


Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.    
Sources for more information:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2016/07/10/four-suspects-arrested-string-pokemon-go-related-armed-robberies/86922474/

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/07/11/missouri-police-say-4-teens-used-pokemon-go-to-rob-people.html

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/10/pokemon-go-armed-robbers-dead-body

 http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pokemon-go-sex-offender-home-california-leads-players/

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