Police: Teen robbed at gunpoint playing Pokemon Go in Lake Ronkonkoma
According to New12 Long Island, Police say a 19-year-old playing Pokemon Go in Lake Ronkonkoma was robbed at gunpoint last night. Police reported that the teen was playing along Lake Shore Drive around 5 p.m. Wednesday when the incident occurred. Police say three people in a gray car pulled over and demanded the teen’s iPhone. The teen refused, and that is when police say they pulled out a gun. The teen handed over his phone and the car sped away. Anyone with information can call Suffolk Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
Pokemon Go is the hottest app that has taken the world by storm. Not only children, but adults are hooked. Although the app is made to get people moving while playing this game, it is also causing injuries due to being distracted while walking and driving.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning of falling victim to any of the Pokémon Go dangers and has made the following recommendations to players and parents:
Expenses: You can play for free by winning “PokeCoins,” but you can also buy coins through the application. The longer you play, the more you spend. The app requires constant GPS access, and uses a lot of data. Limited data plans might lead to a hefty bill.
Privacy: Users must allow the app to access other applications, such as maps and the camera. Many users sign in with a Google account, and that has caused some concerns about privacy.
Malware: A malware version of the game has been found online, although no known infections have been reported. Users should only download the app through official app stores, not third-party sites.
Safety: Players should use the same safety precautions while playing the game that they would in any other outdoor setting, including exercising caution in strange locations. Players should be cautious as pedestrians and obey all traffic laws, and drivers should be on the lookout for players who might be distracted by the game. The app also drains phone batteries, so users should be careful not to get stranded far from home.
Infringement: PokeStops are supposed to all be on public property (or cooperative private sites). Players should be respectful of others’ private property.
Information: bbb.org
