Pokemon Go player on Long Island is victim of armed robbery

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Long Island teen playing Pokemon Go victim of armed robbery
N.J. Burkett has the latest details.

LAKE RONKONKOMA, Long Island (WABC) -- Police are investigating an armed robbery that targeted a Pokemon Go player on Long Island.

Authorities say a 19-year-old man was walking along Lake Shore Drive in Lake Ronkonkoma playing the game on his Apple iPhone around 5 p.m. Wednesday when a gray four-door sedan with at least three people inside pulled up next to him.

A man in the front passenger seat demanded the victim's phone, police said, and when he refused, the passenger in the rear seat threatened him with a gun.

The victim handed the phone to him, and the car fled the scene.

It's not clear whether the victim was tracked to the location or whether the robbery was a crime of opportunity, but police say they are leaning toward the latter.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 631-854-8452 or 1-800-220-TIPS.