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‘Pokemon Go’ ends abruptly for teen siblings in San Francisco after robber snatches their smartphone

A man snatched a smartphone from two teenagers playing 'Pokemon Go' in San Francisco.
(Jay Janner / Austin American-Statesman via AP)
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Two teenagers playing “Pokemon Go” in San Francisco were robbed by a man who snatched a smartphone they were using for the game, officials said.

The incident occurred Sunday and comes as police are warning Pokemon fans to be careful as they roam around cities playing the game.

The teenagers, a brother and sister, were playing “Pokemon Go” on a smartphone when they noticed a man watching them from across the street, police said.

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“They continued to play the game and suddenly noticed the same guy a few blocks later,” said San Francisco Sgt. Michael Andraychak.

The man snatched the smartphone from their hands and “ran to a waiting car and fled,”Andraychak said.

The robbery occurred in 200 block of Burrow Street shortly after 8 p.m. Neither of the teens was injured, and San Francisco police say they are investigating the crime.

Officials are now warning residents to watch out for criminals seeking to victimize “Pokemon Go” players.

There already have been reports of a man in Oregon being stabbed while playing the game, and of thieves in Missouri targeting people who were distracted by “Pokemon Go.”

richard.winton@latimes.com

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