Police: Robber Threatened Shadyside Clerk With HIV Infected Needle

A surveillance photo of a robber who police said threatened a clerk and customers with a syringe allegedly infected with HIV was released on Wednesday.

Police said the white male threatened to stab people with the infected needle at the Uni-Mart along Ellsworth Avenue Saturday while demanding money.

"He said 'I have a syringe full of HIV. I am going to stick you with it if you don't give me the money.' That's when I pushed him away as far as I could," said customer Jim Hartwig.

After the scuffle with the customer, the man redirected his attention to the store clerk swinging the needle at the clerk’s face demanding money, according to police.

The store clerk told the man to step back and he would open the register. Police said the man stepped away from the register, and the store clerk opened the cash register and removed money from the drawer. According to police, the man ran out of the store towards Alter Way.

Police describe the robber as a white male, approximately 23 to 26 years old. They said he's about 6 feet tall and weighs about 215 pounds. According to police, the husky built man has a thin, neatly trimmed beard and colorful tattoos on both arms.

Anyone who may have information regarding the robbery is asked to contact the PBP Robbery Squad at (412) 323-7151.