Pokemon GOplayers have made headlines for playing the game while driving recently, with onePokemon GO-playing driver receiving afine from the police. But this latest story about aPokemon GOplayer and their car has a bit of a twist.
A report fromNBC5details the story of onePokemon GOplayer from Oklahoma City, OK. whose car was stolen as he attempted to catch ‘em all. The player, named Devante Frazier, explains that he received a notification on his phone about a Geodude spawn nearby. Frazier couldn’t “turn down something that good” and so he pulled over and left his car in order to catch the Pokemon.
Unfortunately for Frazier, his car was stolen as he was trying to catch the Geodude and he had to watch as the thief drove the vehicle down the highway. The car-lessPokemon GOplayer says that he was “moderately in shock” and stood by the side of the road in disbelief that it was his car. Frazier also admits that it was a “dumb idea” to leave the car unattended by the side of the road with his keys inside.
On the one hand, it’s positive to hear about aPokemon GOplayer electing not to play the game while behind the wheel since recent studies have noted the huge cost ofPokemon GO-relatedcar crashes and accidents. But it was pretty foolish to leave the keys in the car and not to lock the car either.
People havedied after being hit by carsdriven by players too focused on the game but Frazier chose not to play the game and drive, which was the right thing to do. Yes, his car was stolen, but it could have been a lot worse had Frazier chose to continue driving while trying to catch that Geodude.
But on the other hand, it highlights how so manyPokemon GOplayers play the game without thinking. There have been many cautionary tales about players not paying attention, including the story about a group ofPokemon GO-playing teens who found themselves indanger due to the rising tide.
Had Frazier been a bit more focused on the security of his car rather thanPokemon GO, he might still have that car. Hopefully, he was at least able to catch a Geodude for his trouble.
Pokemon GOis available for Android and iOS devices.
