US cops' latest honeytrap: Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go

Washington: The latest to join the Pokemon Go craze is the US police, but this time, it's for a serious purpose - to nab wanted criminals.

A post on Virginia's Smithfield PD's Facebook page says Ditto, a purple, smiling blob of a Pokemon, is hanging out in the station's processing room.

A list of "random citizens eligible for this rare opportunity" was also posted. The catch is that the "random citizens" all have outstanding warrants.

The whimsical post has a serious purpose, said Sgt. Bryan Miller, a patrol sergeant and administrator of the Facebook page. First, to engage with the community, and second, to perhaps get some leads on people wanted for charges ranging from trespassing to grand larceny.