TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Police seek robber who claimed to carry AIDS syringe

News Channel 8 photo by JIM FARQUHAR

The suspect entered the West Coast Pharmacy, 8439 N. Florida Ave., about 1:27 p.m. Thursday demanding oxycodone.

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: April 17, 2009

Updated: 04/17/2009 08:21 pm

TAMPA - Police are looking for a man who tried to rob a pharmacy Thursday by saying he had in his pocket a needle filled with the AIDS virus.

The man entered the West Coast Pharmacy, 8439 N. Florida Ave., about 1:27 p.m. Thursday and demanded the prescription painkiller oxycodone. He didn't display a syringe or any weapon, however, said Tampa police retired Sgt. Jim Contento, an agency spokesman.

"He definitely was nervous," pharmacist Andy Mobley said of the suspect. "He looked desperate."

Mobley said the suspect ran off after employees threatened to call police. The entire incident lasted 30 to 40 seconds, Mobley said.

Police released security video from the pharmacy today in hopes of identifying the man. Police described him as white, in his early 20s, standing about 5 feet 11 inches tall and having dirty-blond hair. At the time, he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with a blue, green and white design and glasses.

Police asked anyone with information about the man to call detectives at (813) 231-6135.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT