NORTHRIDGE : ‘Syringe Bandit’ Suspect Will Be Arraigned
A Northridge man accused of threatening to infect robbery victims with the AIDS virus is scheduled to be arraigned today in San Fernando Municipal Court.
Wesley G. Pledger, 35, was charged Thursday with 10 counts of robbery, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon--a hypodermic needle--during eight holdups last week, said Steve Teichner, a district attorney’s spokesman.
In almost every incident, Pledger, a paroled robber with a history of heroin use, told his victims he had AIDS and brandished a syringe he claimed contained his own blood.
It remains unknown whether Pledger has AIDS. Authorities said they have no immediate plans to test him for the deadly virus. The needle, which has not been found, is considered a deadly weapon even without AIDS-tainted blood, Teichner said.
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