The San Francisco Police Department announced on Wednesday evening that they had arrested a man who snatched a cell phone from someone walking in the Mission District playing Pokemon Go.
On August 4, 2016, police officers were near 17th and Hoff streets when a person told them that a man walking nearby had snatched his cell phone while he was playing the smartphone game Pokemon Go. The victim said he had been walking along Mission Street when the man walked up to him and took his cell phone.
The victim then gave chase and caught up with the suspect, asking for his cell phone back and threatening to hit the suspect with a bottle. The suspect threatened to shoot the victim, putting his hands into his pants as if he had a gun there, the victim said.
The officers detained the suspect after the victim pointed him out, but no gun was found on the suspect. The victim proved the cell phone was his by unlocking it with his fingerprint and showing a picture of himself on the phone.
The suspect, a 23-year-old man, was booked on charges of felony strong-arm robbery, terrorist threats, drug related charges, and other active warrants in neighboring counties.
Crime is trauma and the county offers different services. Here is a link to a page of services.
Victims of violent crime can also contact the Trauma Recovery Center at UCSF.