1 Arrested, 1 Hospitalized After Dispute Over Pokemon Go Turns Violent

CLINTON TWP. (WWJ) - One man has been charged and another is hospitalized after an assault that authorities say stemmed from an argument over Pokemon Go.

Ryan Jeffrey Steiner, 33, was arrested following the incident, late Wednesday night, in downtown Mt. Clemens.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff's office, the St. Clair Shores man was walking with his girlfriend and a second woman — in the area of Market Street and Main, at around 10:40 p.m. — when they encountered a 53-year-old Harrison Township man.

A verbal argument started between the two men, sheriff's officials say, centering around the younger man's use of his phone to play the popular smart phone game that involves searching for virtual creatures using GPS.

Threats were made, and that's when Steiner allegedly struck the older man in the face, knocking him to the ground. Steiner then left the scene with his female companions and went into a nearby bar.

After a witness called to report the incident, responding deputies found the victim lying on the sidewalk and bleeding from a cut on the back of his head.

The man was treated by EMS at the scene before being transported to McLaren-Macomb Hospital.

Deputies said they were able to identify the assailant with the help of witnesses. Steiner was later taken into custody at a home on Wagnor Street in Warren.

He was arraigned via video feed in 41B District Court of Clinton Township on Thursday on a charge of aggravated assault, a one-year misdemeanor. He was given a $5,000, 10 percent bond and is due back in court on Aug. 24.

The victim remained hospitalized, Thursday afternoon, in an intensive care unit. His name has not been released.