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Armed Robbers Targeted Pokemon Go Players, Police Say

By
Melissa Chan
Melissa Chan
and
TIME
TIME
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By
Melissa Chan
Melissa Chan
and
TIME
TIME
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July 10, 2016, 4:04 PM ET
Pokemon Go Injuries
Pokemon Go is displayed on a cell phone in Los Angeles on Friday, July 8, 2016. Just days after being made available in the U.S., the mobile game Pokemon Go has jumped to become the top-grossing app in the App Store. And players have reported wiping out in a variety of ways as they wander the real world, eyes glued to their smartphone screens, in search of digital monsters. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)Photograph by Richard Vogel—AP

Police in Missouri arrested four suspects who they believe used the new Pokemon Go game to find targets in a recent string of armed robberies.

The suspects, whose identities have not yet been released, were apprehended early Sunday after officers found them inside a vehicle, in possession of a handgun, shortly after responding to a report of an armed robbery, the O’Fallon Police Department said in a statement.

Hackers Spreading Malware Through Pokémon GO

The four suspects are accused of robbing about eight or nine people in the last few days in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties, a police department spokesperson told Gizmodo.

Authorities said the suspects may have used the popular “augmented reality” smart phone game that lets players find, battle and capture the imaginary creatures in the real world to find targets. Specifically, police say the suspects allegedly sought out areas in which Pokemon Go players used a beacon to lure Pokemon, which in turn draws more players.

This article originally appeared on Time.com

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