The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Robbery suspect used infection threat, police say

How to stay safe outdoors this Memorial weekend
5/23/12
Students make most of school’s Lenten service project
5/23/12
How to make a customized dry-erase board
5/23/12
Woman helps tornado victims with lost photos
5/23/12
A father, 11 mothers and 30 children? Oy vey!
5/22/12
> More lifestyle headlines

The Associated Press Updated 6:32 AM Friday, January 20, 2012

SHARON, Pa. — Police say a man tried to rob a western Pennsylvania gambling parlor by threatening to spread a staph infection.

Online court records don't list an attorney for 41-year-old Fred Parker, of Coolspring Township.

Police say he walked into Lucky's Internet Cafe in Sharon on Monday night and began touching the walls and gambling machines, claiming he has MRSA — a serious staph infection that resists antibiotics.

Sharon police Chief Mike Menster says Parker then threatened to infect the cashier if he didn't give Parker money. The chief tells The Herald newspaper of Sharon, "It's our first case of robbery by threat of an infectious disease."

Police say Parker left when the cashier refused, but was arrested a short time later based on his description.

Parker remained in jail Wednesday.

___

Information from: The Herald, http://www.sharon-herald.com

___

January 18, 2012 02:32 PM EST

Share this article