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Pokemon Go Warning from O'Fallon Missouri Police
O'Fallon Missouri Police Department via Facebook ^ | 7/10/2016 | Press Release

Posted on 07/10/2016 1:38:12 PM PDT by kingu

UPDATE INFORMATION BELOW-This morning at approximately 2 am we responded to the report of an Armed Robbery near the intersection of Highway K and Feise Road. We were able to locate four suspects occupying a black BMW a short time later and recover a handgun. These suspects are suspected of multiple Armed Robberies both in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. It is believed these suspects targeted their victims through the Pokemon Go smart phone application.

Many of you have heard of Pokemon Go, but for those that have not, it is a type of Geo Caching game where you find and capture Pokemon characters at various locations. If you use this app (or other similar type apps) or have children that do we ask you to please use caution when alerting strangers of your future location.

**Many of you have asked how the app was used to rob victims, the way we believe it was used is you can add a beacon to a pokestop to lure more players. Apparently they were using the app to locate ppl standing around in the middle of a parking lot or whatever other location they were in.**


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: pokemon; pokemongo; theft
Interpreting the non-techie trying to explain game mechanics and how they might be used - you can use an item called Lure on a Pokestop to attract more 'monsters' for players to catch. This shows up as a different looking portal on the map, so those in the area can see that they're able to find more monsters there.

I'm going to guess this will be the one and only case that will ever happen. As it can cost real world money to get the lure modifier, it is pretty unlikely that anyone else is going to think about this (well, until the police spread about how it was done...)

Like anything, if you're walking around waiving an expensive phone, there's going to be someone out there who will think about a way to steal it from you (to sell for pennies on the dollar to someone else.)

1 posted on 07/10/2016 1:38:12 PM PDT by kingu
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To: kingu

I’m sure if I actually saw this process occurring a few times, it would make perfect sense. I’m not sure what actions are real and obvious to anyone or which ones are virtual and remain obvious only to the gameplayer.


2 posted on 07/10/2016 1:54:46 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: kingu

This game is pretty huge right now, and many in their 20’s and 30’s are playing.


3 posted on 07/10/2016 1:56:28 PM PDT by HollyB
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To: lee martell

If you know where the portals are located (they are oriented towards local points of interest - libraries, churches, public art, etc), and you see people walking around the area looking at their phones, odds are that’s what they’re doing.

We’ve come across dozens of families just in our neighborhood out and about - and on the first couple days, with server issues, there were a lot of people out in the middle of the night creating this opportunity for the crooks to steal phones (and whatever other valuables people might have on them.)


4 posted on 07/10/2016 1:57:15 PM PDT by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
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To: HollyB

Youngest players I’ve seen have been 3 & 4 who think it’s the best thing ever to make Mommy walk around finding creatures.


5 posted on 07/10/2016 1:58:57 PM PDT by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
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To: kingu

It’s a great idea.. but how easy is it going to be to lure 10-14 year olds on their way to the bus into a van ?


6 posted on 07/10/2016 2:01:53 PM PDT by Celerity
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To: kingu

Why is Mark Levin promoting this “Pokemon Go” on his social sites? What is this?


7 posted on 07/10/2016 2:09:41 PM PDT by conservative98
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To: conservative98

It’s a virtual reality collecting and capture the flag game which requires modern cell phones to run the map and scanner application. It uses characters from the Pokemon game and animated series and is very popular for players of the handheld games from the past 25 years as well as more recent fans who just like the idea of getting out and moving around.


8 posted on 07/10/2016 2:20:34 PM PDT by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
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To: Celerity

Pretty unlikely, especially with a kid holding a cell phone which can call 911 and likely take your picture (and post it online) before you can even get out of your vehicle. It still amazes me how much kids can do with a cell phone these days.


9 posted on 07/10/2016 2:21:36 PM PDT by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
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To: Celerity

10 posted on 07/10/2016 2:48:22 PM PDT by Rebelbase
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To: kingu

“It still amazes me how much kids can do with a cell phone these days.”

They have the tools, but completely lack the brain. You ever see Pokémon cartoons and stuff ? It’s seizure inducing mind control.

And great, my browser automatically puts the accent mark in Pokémon. It won’t tell me how to spell fibromyalga (Fibromyalgia) but it knows Pokémon.


11 posted on 07/10/2016 3:04:15 PM PDT by Celerity
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To: HollyB

Indeed it just kicked off about 4 days ago - both my girls were determined to be one of the first to get it and went to international sites to download it first.

It is a fun game - at least to observe - and it requires getting out of the house. Most of the gym locations are public offices such as the post office, library, or town hall and rest stops tend to be places like shopping centers.

The meme going around that I found most hilarious was: “Michele Obama 7 1/2 years with no impact on childhood obesity. Pokemon Go out 1 day and already impacting childhood obesity.”

I can see based on the article how no-good-doers could use it to try and sucker people in.


12 posted on 07/10/2016 3:58:46 PM PDT by reed13k
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To: kingu

It’s a throwdown.


13 posted on 07/10/2016 4:05:21 PM PDT by SamAdams76 (Did you get pears?)
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To: reed13k

Glad they are having fun! My college aged son is playing it. Not sure if I should announce that!


14 posted on 07/10/2016 5:35:42 PM PDT by HollyB
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To: HollyB

Mine are going into Sophmore college and senior HS. So I think your fine lol


15 posted on 07/10/2016 8:03:04 PM PDT by reed13k
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To: reed13k

Thanks for that!


16 posted on 07/10/2016 8:04:52 PM PDT by HollyB
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To: lee martell

Sounds like a good way to sell new phones...


17 posted on 07/11/2016 3:43:53 AM PDT by snowtigger (It ain't what you shoot, it's what you hit.)
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