Thief Pointed Needle at Store Security, Shouted 'I Have AIDS'

A man at Lowe's Home Improvement who was confronted this morning for attempting to steal various saw blades brandished a hypodermic needle at store security, shouting "I have AIDS" before fleeing the store.

The man, who has yet to be identified by Salem Police, is described as a Hispanic male with dark clothing and a dark hat.

The incident, which took place at 10 a.m., featured another suspect – Victor Garcia, 32, of Lawrence, Mass, who was alongside the unidentified man. Arrest warrants for Garcia will be forthcoming.

According to police, the unknown man approached store loss pervention in an "aggressive and menacing manner," yelling that he had AIDS several times.

Both men fled in a 2001 Nissan Maxima with Mass. resistration 3PVF20. Responding Salem officers contacted both Methuen and Lawrence Police.

Police said that Garcia was arrested last month by Salem Police for a similar theft. Lowe's LP also reports that both men have been responsible for similar thefts throughout the area stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The case remains under investigation at this time.