No Go: Man Tazed, Arrested While Playing Pokémon Go In Tampa Bay Park

TAMPA, FL – A 20-year-old man was shot by an officer with a Taser gun and arrested Thursday night in a Tampa park after refusing to stop playing Pokémon Go, according to law enforcement.

Tampa Police Department officers were called at 10:30 p.m. to Ballast Point Park after complaints of numerous trespassers past closing time, officials said.

Arriving police reported that roughly 150 individuals were at the park playing the virtual Pokémon Go game, and all complied with instructions to leave except for the defendant, the department said.

The man, later identified as David T. Mastrototaro-Baermude, repeatedly was asked to knock off the game and go, police said, however, the suspect allegedly refused to follow orders.

(The incident was caught, recorded on video and posted to social media. Scroll down to view.)

After multiple warnings, Mastrototaro-Baermude purportedly grabbed an officer's arm and pushed nearly knocking the cop to the ground, according to police. The officer deployed his Taser on the man, who was then arrested, police said.

Mastrototaro-Baermude was arrested for suspected trespassing after warning and resisting arrest, the agency said.

The Tampa department reminds residents who enjoy Pokémon Go of some safety tips:

1. Pay attention to your surroundings while playing (i.e. look up, don't walk into traffic).

2. Keep in mind that not everyone is playing the game, so don't trespass on private property or enter restricted areas, like city parks after closing time!

3. If you're playing at night, be sure to be visible.

4. Be cautious of strangers.

5. Don't play while driving!

• Also see:
• PokeWalk At Robinson Preserve, Bradenton
• Pokémon Go: Florida Theme Parks Welcome Considerate Trainers
• Bay Area Manhunt Underway For Suspect Who Allegedly Shot Dead His Girlfriend, Injured Another

--Shutterstock image/embed video courtesy of ABC Action News