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Pokémon Go May Unwittingly Lead Players Near Homes Of Sex Offenders

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The new Pokémon Go game has been downloaded on millions of phones across the country, but police say users of the virtual scavenger hunt may unwittingly put themselves in danger.

CBS13 has learned that parents need to know their children may be playing the virtual game where sex offenders live.

MORE: Megan's Law - California Sex Offender Locator Website

Pokémon Go is a virtual scavenger hunt where players use their cellphone's GPS to find and catch digital creatures known as "Pokémon" in neighborhoods they're directed to through the app.

But police are urging people to accompany children playing the game to protect them from unexpected dangers.

"My oldest grandson got bit by a dog because the Pokémon Go took him to a place and he had [to] reach his arm over a fence, so he got bit," Tina Keller said.

We did a scavenger hunt for Pokémon in Midtown Sacramento. We did not encounter any dangerous dogs, but we did find registered sex offenders on the Megan's Law website near or right next to Pokémon stops – the same stops your kids may be directed to.

"We're not supposed to judge anybody," said a registered sex offender.

Read more: Pokemon Go Safety Tips

This man who does not want to be identified is not a fan of the Pokémon Go game because he says he's a registered sex offender. He says, by law, he's required to keep his distance from children – but can't help it if the Pokémon app brings the players, including kids, near his home.

"I think it's not fair," he said.

Parents said moms and dads need to be aware of the dangers of Pokémon Go and so do their kids.

"Your parents are giving parameters on where to go, where not to go and just because you're playing a game does not give you permission to go where you're not supposed to go," said Sacramento County resident Janice Campbell.

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