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U. of Maryland Police: Multiple Victims Robbed At Gunpoint Playing Pokemon Go

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Three of the four people who were robbed Tuesday night on the University of Maryland, College Park campus were playing Pokemon Go at the time, police say.

Pokemon Go is a new augmented reality phone app that uses GPS to guide users to real-world landmarks for the purpose of collecting the digital cartoon creatures. It's been downloaded by millions of people.

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Shortly after 9 p.m., campus police got a call for a robbery near Tydings Hall.

As officers searched the area for a suspect in that incident, they got calls for two more robberies.

Police say the first occurred around 9:08 p.m. The suspect implied he had a weapon.

The next two happened around 10:15 p.m., both near Queen Anne's Hall. A handgun was seen in both those incidents.

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In total, police got three reports of robberies involving four victims. Three of the four are University of Maryland students, and none were injured. Three of the four were also playing the Pokemon Go game at the time they were robbed.

The fourth was not playing the game, but did have a cell phone out.

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The suspect stole the victims' cell phones, police say.

Individuals with any information regarding these cases are encouraged to contact UMPD at 301-405-3555.

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