Pokémon Player Walks Right Into Police Hands

JULY 15--A Michigan man with an outstanding arrest warrant was collared yesterday when cops spotted him outside police headquarters playing “Pokémon Go.”

According to police, William Wilcox, 24, rode his bicycle Thursday morning to the Milford Police Department, which is designated as a “gym” in the popular augmented reality game.

Wilcox, still in pajama pants at 10:30 AM, was seen standing near a flagpole by officers inside the building.

In Pokémon parlance, a “gym” is where players gather so their characters can fight against the characters of other app users.

Since Wilcox, seen at right, has had numerous run-ins with the local police force, officers recognized him immediately. A warrants check determined that he was wanted for failure to appear in court in connection with a pending breaking and entering case.

Wilcox was arrested on the misdemeanor charge and later released from custody on his own recognizance. Wilcox’s rap sheet includes a 2014 conviction for receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor for which he was sentenced to a year of probation. (2 pages)