Blood-filled syringe brandished in Md. CVS robbery, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Benjamin Frederick Blessing

/ CBS Baltimore

(CBS/WJZ) COLUMBIA, Md. - Police say a man in Columbia, Md. used a syringe filled with blood to steal thousands of dollars from a CVS pharmacy in the Baltimore area.

Benjamin Federick Blessing, 52, faces multiple charges including robbery and assault after allegedly robbing a pharmacist with a blood-filled syringe he claimed was contaminated with the AIDS virus, reports CBS Baltimore. Police say he threatened to stab her if she didn't open a safe containing medication

According to the station, Blessing was able to flee with $27,000 in prescription pills.

Police reportedly say they also believe Blessing is responsible for an attempted robbery in October at a Bank of America, where surveillance images captured a robber approaching a mother and child with what appears to be a taser. The robber ran when the woman pointed outside and screamed for the police.

Investigators say they found the prescription drugs stolen from CVS inside Blessing's Columbia home, CBS Baltimore reports.

Police reportedly say they have confirmed blood was in the syringe and are testing to see if was contaminated with the AIDS virus. A judge on Wednesday denied Blessing bail.

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