Two Men Attacked in Lakewood After Playing Pokemon Go

Detectives are investigating the attempted robbery of two men who were attacked after playing "Pokemon Go" early Wednesday morning in Lakewood.

The victims were approached by a man with a black handgun at about 2:40 a.m., while walking home after playing the popular game on their cellphones, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department news release.

A tan vehicle pulled alongside the victims, and the man came out and demanded their belonging, the news release said. One of the victims — a Marine veteran who asked to be identified only by his first name, Sean — said he lunged at the man with a knife.

Sean said he suffered a broken nose and busted lip during the altercation. The man with the gun eventually ran back to the vehicle and attempted to run over the victims but did not hit them, deputies said.

"Pokemon Go" is a highly popular augmented reality app that's drawn some criticism for posing possible danger. Sean pointed out that he was not playing the game when the attack happened, but may have been watched while he and his friend were focused on their phones.

"Just because you're playing the video game doesn't mean the world is stopped around you," Det. Ronnie Borges of the sheriff's department said. "So absolutely be aware of your surroundings."

The alleged attacker was described as an 18- to 25-year-old man, 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build and short hair. The vehicle sped away westbound on South Street, and may have been a Chevy Impala, deputies said.