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Nagoya cops: Motorcyclist snatches bag from ‘absorbed’ Pokemon Go player

A Pokemon Go player who "was so absorbed in the game" had her handbag stolen
A Pokemon Go player who “was so absorbed in the game” had her handbag stolen in Nagoya

NAGOYA (TR) – And so it begins: A cyclist was playing Pokemon Go here on Sunday when a motorcyclist sped up next to her before snatching her handbag.

Mizuho Station Police are investigating a case of theft involving a 22-year-old female university student who reported that a motorcyclist stole her handbag that was sitting in her front basket while she was riding her bike along a road in Murakamicho, Mizuho Ward, at around 3 p.m., the Mainichi Shimbun reports (July 24).

The victim, who wasn’t injured, told police she “didn’t notice the sound of a motorcycle approaching because she was so absorbed in the game.”

Like in other countries, the game has taken Japan by storm since its release on Friday, with players seen staring at smartphone screens in parks and on streets nationwide.

The woman’s handbag contained 2,000 yen in cash and a wallet holding various items like credit cards.

The suspect was last seen wearing a black helmet and a gray long-sleeve shirt.