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Missouri Police: Armed Robbers Used Pokémon GO to Lure Victims

Police in O'Fallon, Missouri arrested four teenagers suspected of using a beacon in the Pokémon GO smartphone game to lure players into armed robbery on Sunday.

The O'Fallon Missouri Police Department posted a press release on Facebook explaining that police had responded to a report of armed robbery, found the suspects in a BMW, and recovered a handgun. The press release further explained, "It is believed these suspects targeted their victims through the Pokémon GO smart phone application."

Police believe the suspects have been involved in nearly a dozen armed robberies, not necessarily using Pokémon GO. Authorities charged three of the teenagers (ages 17, 18, and 18) with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. Juvenile authorities held the fourth suspect (age 16) in custody.

The Pokémon GO app launched in select countries last week.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Polygon

Thanks to Danielle Jackson for the news tip.