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Venice Bar Patron Threatened With Taser In Google Glass Robbery

VENICE (CBSLA.com) — A Venice man was robbed of his Google Glass and a laptop computer after being threatened with a Taser, police said Tuesday.

The incident was reported around 8 p.m. Monday at On The Waterfront Cafe, which is located at 205 Ocean Front Walk.

Detailed descriptions of the two suspects were unavailable, police said.

The alleged robbery comes after an increase in the number of Google Glass-related crimes nationwide, including a Sacramento reporter who claims he had his Google Glass snatched from his face while walking down the sidewalk Friday.

KNX 1070's Megan Goldsby reports Google Glass — which is priced around $1,500 and features a built-in computer on a customizable lightweight frame — allows a user wearing the device to capture what they see before saving it or sending it.

Venice Bar Patron Threatened With Taser In Google Glass Robbery

Glass went on sale Monday under an "explorer" program designed to aid in the development of the device, according to Google.

On Tuesday, the company opened up sales of its wearable computer to any adult in the United States, with a pair of sunglasses or the newly introduced prescription frame included in every purchase, CBS News reported.

But critics like Jamie Court of Consumer Watchdog - which is calling for a boycott of the new technology - says Glass isn't just dangerous for the owner, but for everyone he or she can see.

"We're very concerned about how when this falls into hands of criminals, of pedophiles, of others who can easily share with others in their community and then target children," Court said.

Google reportedly hopes to release a commercial version of the Glass product in stores later this year that could sell for less than $1,500, according to CBS News.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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