Why We Carry: Woman Robs Store With Hypodermic Needle She Claims Is Infected With AIDS

RAYNHAM, MASSACHUSETTS — A woman was arrested after police say she successfully robbed a convenience store wielding a hypodermic needle. During the armed robbery, she told her victims that the needle was infected with the AIDS virus.

Authorities were told that an adult female, who brandished a hypodermic needle she claimed to be infected with AIDS, demanded money before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

However, a witness was able to record the suspect’s license plate before she made her escape and a notice was subsequently issued to surrounding communities to be on the lookout for the suspect and vehicle, according to a statement by the Raynham Police Department.

“Moments later, the same vehicle was identified by State Police as being wanted in connection with a similar robbery in New Bedford. State Police located the vehicle and made a traffic stop in the town of Marion after a brief vehicle pursuit,” Raynham Police Chief James Donovan said in a statement.

via abc7chicago.com

When certain people are desperate, they’re willing to put others in harms way. Would this have been grounds for the use of lethal self-defense? Probably.

The questions is answered loosely because of the varying laws from state to state, but generally speaking, I think one could argue that a needle supposedly carrying a deadly virus can be viewed as serious bodily injury.

You also may have to take other things into consideration. Since a needle isn’t something that can be used at a distance, are you able to get away? Are other people in harm’s way? The list goes on and on.

The certain thing is that this incident serves as another reminder that crazy people walk among us, and they do crazy things that we wouldn’t do ourselves. Are you prepared for that?