A disturbing incident occurred over the weekend in Berlin, Germany, where a 12-year-old child had their smartphone stolen while playing Pokémon GO in a public park.
According to local police, the child was engrossed in gameplay near Hasenheide Park when an unknown individual approached, grabbed the phone directly from their hands, and fled the scene. The theft took place in broad daylight, shortly after 3:00 PM on Sunday.
Witnesses reported that the suspect was wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap and was last seen heading toward the nearby U-Bahn station. The child was unharmed, though visibly shaken by the event. Law enforcement officials are reviewing CCTV footage from surrounding areas in hopes of identifying the perpetrator.
The incident has sparked renewed concern among parents and community members about the safety risks of augmented reality (AR) games like Pokémon GO, especially when played in public spaces.
Police spokesperson Annika Schulz advised, “We urge parents to talk to their children about remaining aware of their surroundings while using mobile devices in public. These games often encourage walking into less crowded areas, which can pose a risk if players become too distracted.”
Niantic, the developers behind Pokémon GO, have long included safety reminders within the app, warning players to stay alert. However, this incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of young users to opportunistic crime.
Parents are encouraged to accompany younger children during outdoor gaming sessions and ensure devices have location tracking enabled. The Berlin police department has also urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
As Pokémon GO continues to attract players worldwide, particularly during seasonal events and community days, the balance between outdoor gaming and real-world safety remains a topic of growing importance.
