Trial Ordered for Man in Syringe Case

A man accused of using a blood-filled syringe he claimed was tainted with AIDS to rob shopkeepers was ordered Monday to stand trial on nine robbery and assault charges.

San Fernando Municipal Judge Juelann K. Cathey ordered the trial for Wesley Pledger, 35, of Northridge after a daylong preliminary hearing on charges stemming from eight incidents in Canoga Park, Reseda and Northridge in March. The robber was dubbed the “AIDS Bandit” or the “Syringe Bandit” by police and media.

Pledger was ordered to trial on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, five counts of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery. He has pleaded not guilty and was ordered to appear for arraignment in Superior Court on May 11.

Cathey dismissed one count of robbery because she said evidence presented at the hearing did not support the charge. Prosecutors have not tested the defendant to see whether he is infected with the disease but said his actions constituted use of a deadly weapon whether or not the blood in the syringe was actually tainted with the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

In the hearing, police experts testified that they matched Pledger’s fingerprints to those on a car used in the robbery spree. Detective Ken Crocker said several victims identified Pledger as the robber in lineups or in photographs.

Describing the March 18 robbery at Flooky’s, a Northridge hot dog restaurant, Crocker said the robber displayed the syringe and told two employees: “I have AIDS. I have a needle with the virus in it. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want a couple of bucks.”

While one of the workers grabbed a meat cleaver for protection, the other told the robber to wait outside, Crocker said. The worker then brought out $2 and gave it to the man, who fled in a car.

If convicted of all charges, Pledger could face up to 23 years in prison.

Times staff writer Jocelyn Y. Stewart contributed to this report.