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Accused syringe robber arrested

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TBO.com

Published: April 19, 2009

TAMPA - Police have arrested a man accused of trying to rob a pharmacy by saying he had in his pocket a needle filled with the virus that causes AIDS.

Anton Francis Ziherle, 23, of no known address, was being held without bail Saturday at Orient Road Jail, charged with felony armed robbery. He has been on probation since March on three other robbery charges, Tampa police said.

Working with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, police arrested Ziherle late Friday in connection with Thursday's robbery attempt at Westcoast Pharmacy, 8439 N. Florida Ave.

A person recognized Ziherle from security footage detectives released to the media, police said.

Police said Ziherle had demanded oxycodone from the pharmacy, but the staff argued with him and scared him away. He did not display a syringe or any other weapon. During his arrest, detectives found syringes but there was no evidence of anything in them, police said.

Ziherle also was charged with felony carjacking. Police said he is accused of knocking down a woman and stealing her car at a Wendy's at North 15th Street and East Fowler Avenue.

A staff report

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