A man caught shoplifting at a Duane Reade on Third Avenue and 57th Street was able to escape by brandishing hypodermic needles and telling workers he was HIV positive. Police say the suspect entered the Duane Reade at 949 Third Avenue around 2:30 p.m. last Monday and started grabbing merchandise off shelves and shoving it in his jacket pockets.
When store employees confronted the man, police say he "displayed hypodermic needles from his pocket and stated he had HIV." He then fled with approximately $179 worth of merchandise. No one was injured.
Police say the suspect appeared to be 30-35 with a black beard, approximately 5'11" in height, and a stocky build. He was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, work boots and carrying a white hard hat.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are kept confidential.
