FORT MYERS, Fla., From cards to game boys, and now to apps. Pokemon Go has topped the charts in less than a week of it's release. Many Southwest Floridians have also caught Pokemon Fever, forming groups to try to catch as many Pokemon as possible in recent days.
Pokemon Go is an app that's interactive and has brought people together and exercising. It works by using augmented reality to show pokemon in your surroundings.
One player tells Fox 4 he's walked nearly 22 miles since he started playing.
"I think a lot of us grew up with Pokemon and we are just really excited to get to get to continue this game and keep playing it the way we've always wanted to, which is in the real world," said Jesi Cason, who plays Pokemon Go in Fort Myers.
But while the game is both entertaining and addicting, police are warning of new dangers with the app since three Missouri Men were charged for allegedly targeting players playing the virtual game and then robbing them at gunpoint.
"That's why we recommend that while you're traveling with your cell phone while playing the game, also travel with a group of friends that way everyone can kind of help each other be aware of your surroundings," said Lt. Katie Heck, with the Punta Gorda Police Department.
Lt. Heck also recommends parents to establish boundaries with their kids who may be playing the game and keep an eye on them.
The rapid popularity of the game even prompted the City of Fort Myers to send out a tweet Monday afternoon alerting players to be aware of their surroundings.
