July 13, 2016

Pennsylvania State Police are urging caution for people playing the interactive game, Pokémon Go. Its use has led to accidents and robberies, according to police.

The game employs GPS capability and mobile device cameras while players search for mock battles and try to “capture” characters within the game. It also uses actual locations in the players’ area. Some players are so focused on the game, the release said, that some are tripping, falling and walking into roadways without checking traffic.

Further still, there is a “lure” feature that enables players to meet at a given location. Police said this is how some crimes have occurred.

Players who arrive at specified locations mentioned in the game — called Pokéstops and gyms — advance in the game.

According to the release, four men in St. Louis, Mo., employed the lure module to draw players into a secluded parking lot where they allegedly robbed 11 players at gunpoint.

“Using the geo-location feature, criminals are able to use the luring mechanisms of the app to seclude unknowing victims and anticipate arrival at Pokéstops,” the release said.

Police said people should use caution, be cognizant of players’ using the app. Distracted players might not be aware of their surroundings and criminals “might seek the opportunity to target players by luring them or waiting for their arrival at Pokéstops and gyms.”

Philadelphia Police have issued a similar warning, and a press release from the Crozer Keystone Health System also referenced the app. It noted that the game is leading people to get exercise as they hunt for Pokémon around their area; some challenges even require walking a specific distance, which is positive.

But Crozer officials also cited safety risks. Walking around with their phones in front of them, participants can trip, fall or bump into obstacles, the release said, adding: “Is Pokémon Go good or bad for children’s health? The jury is still out.”

• State police from the Avondale barracks said Kristen Lewis Murphy, 35, of Wilmington, was arrested for DUI o July 6. The report said Lewis was driving south with a flat tire on Route 1 near Newark Road in New garden Township at 4:27 p.m.

• Police said Ralph J. Abegg, 50, of Spring Valley, N.Y., sustained minor injury in a one-vehicle accident on Chatham Road in West Marlborough Township. The state police report said Abegg was riding his Yamaha RI south on Chatham Road on July 2 at 3:18 p.m. when he tried to make a left curve over a steel-grate bridge. He hit the side rail of the bridge, and the bike slid for 20 feet. Abegg was transported to Christiana Hospital.

• Edward J. Hornberger, 20, of West Grove, was charged with following too closely following an accident in which, state police said, he rear-ended another vehicle.  Both units were towed from the scene at Baltimore Pike at its intersection with Schoolhouse Road on July 2 at 3:40 p.m. While not transported, police said Hornberger was suspected of sustaining a minor injury.

• An East Fallowfield man was arrested for DUI in Pennsbury Township on July 3. State police identified the driver as Roy James Bisbing, 53. The traffic stop was made at 12:10 a.m. on Route 1 at Independence Way.

• State police said John H. Gould Jr., 56, of Lincoln University, was charged with careless driving following a two-vehicle accident on Street Road near Pocopson Road in Pocopson Township on June 26. A report said Gould could not stop in time before rear-ending another vehicle that was stopped for traffic. No injuries were reported.

• Retail theft charges were filed against a man police identified as David Mackenzie Bowman, 22, of Chadds Ford, according to state police. A report said Bowman tried to steal $58 worth of Magic the Gathering playing cards from the East Marlborough Walmart on July 3.

• Someone took property from two unlocked vehicles during the overnight hours on June 21 and 22. The incident happened in the 1500 block of Fairville Road in Pennsbury Township.

• Aryn Lyn Gilligan, 22, of West Chester, was arrested for DUI on Oakland Road at Harvey Road in Chadds Ford Township on June 17, according to state police.

• State police from the Media barracks said Shane William Finegan, 21, of Media, was arrested for DUI following a traffic stop on Route 1 at Concord Road on June 19. The stop took place at 3:18 a.m.

• Edward Etheridge, 54, of North Wales, was charged with following too closely after he rear-ended another vehicle on Route 1 at Route 202 on June 29. No injuries were reported.

• An Upper Chichester man was charged with retail theft after allegedly stealing two GPS units from the Target store in Concord Township. Police identified the accused as Louis David Freeman, 22.

• A 51-year-old Glen Mills resident was arrested for DUI following a traffic stop on July 2. Police identified the driver as Charles Ashman. The stop was made on Route 1 at Route 322 at 12:11 a.m.

• Silvano Blanco Martinez, 31, of Claymont, was arrested for DUI on July 4, according to a state police report. The report said troopers stopped to assist with a possible disabled vehicle, but determined the driver was under the influence. The incident happened at 2:01 a.m. at the Springwater Plaza on Route 202.

• New Garden Township Police arrested Cosme Cruz-Vazquez, 38 of Kennett Square, for DUI following a traffic stop near Hillendale and Chanbers roads in New Garden Township on July 1.

• A 20-year-old Philadelphia man was arrested on Saturday, June 4, at 3:42 a.m. in Westtown Township for DUI and drug possession, said state police from the Embreeville barracks. Police said James C. Glodday was stopped on southbound Route 202 at Ridge Road and found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of 59 grams of marijuana, police said.

• State police from the Embreeville barracks are looking for the driver who struck a legally parked vehicle in the parking lot of the Newlin Township Road Maintenance building in the 1700 block of Embreeville Road and left the scene on June 27 between 6:30 and 8 p.m.  Anyone with information is asked to call the barracks at 610-486-6280.

• Pearce Smith Haggarty, 61, of West Chester, was arrested for DUI on Saturday, May 28, at 1:05 a.m., said state police from the Embreeville barracks. Police said Haggarty was pulled over on Northbrook Road, north of Carriage Lane, in West Bradford Township.