Two men assaulted in Lakewood after playing Pokemon Go game

LAKEWOOD >> A would-be robber attacked two men, pistol-whipping one of them, as the victims were out playing the popular new Pokemon Go mobile video game early Wednesday moing, authorities said.

The crime unfolded about 2:40 a.m. as two men were chasing after digital creatures in the augmented-reality video game at South Street and Clark Avenue, according to Deputy Trina Schrader of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Information Bureau.

As the men played the game on their cell phones, a tan, four-door car described as possibly a Chevrolet Impala, pulled alongside them, she said. A man got out of the car with a handgun and demanded the victims’ property.

“One of the victims charged at the suspect and began to struggle with the suspect for the firearm,” Schrader said in a written statement.

“During the struggle, the victim was hit multiple times in the face with the handgun by the suspect,” the deputy said. “The suspect ran back to the tan vehicle, which then sped toward the victims and attempted to run over them. The victims were able to get out of the way before being struck by the vehicle.”

The beating victim suffered a broken nose and a cut to his lip, Schrader said.

Officials described the gunman as a black man, between 18 and 25 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, of thin build, with short hair. A description of the driver was not available.

The suspects’ car was last seen speeding west on South Street, officials added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Borges of the sheriff’s Lakewood Station at 562-623-3500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Earlier this week, sheriffs issued a safety advisory about the Pokemon Go game, which leads players to seek out virtual Pokemon characters in real world settings using their smartphone camera.

The sheriffs advise players:

• Don’t play while driving

• Play in well-lit areas

• If you suspect you are being followed, yell for help and call 911

• Stay off private property

• Play in pairs, not alone

• Be cautious of being lured into a bad situation.

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