Video Shows Moment California Police Officers Ignore Robbery For Pokèmon Go

The Los Angeles Police Department recently shared a video from 2017 that captured two police officers ignoring a backup call to play Pokèmon GO. According to FOX11, officers Louis Lozano and Eric Mitchell were called as backup for a robbery and instead drove around town in search of characters in the game.

As part of Pokémon GO, characters are scanned and collected in various locations across the country using the app. Players travel around in search of these characters with the goal to "catch 'em all!" The officers were trying to capture "Snorlax" as the robbery was taking place. In the video, viewers can hear Mitchell ask Lozano if they should ignore the call.

"Should we ask to see if there is a message? Maybe they want us to go over there and help out." 

"Ahh, screw it," Lozano replied as the two continued to search for Pokémon characters.

One year after the incident occurred, the LAPD police captain reviewed the footage captured on the digital camera inside the squad car and fired the officers involved. FOX11 mentioned that Lozano and Mitchell initially denied the allegations and said that they were in a park with loud music and did not hear the call. During the court trials, the officers argued that reviewing the footage was a violation of privacy as it revealed a "private conversation."

Lozano had been with the LAPD for 17 years and Mitchell for 8 years before their positions were terminated.