Police: Robber threatened guard with dirty syringe, Hepatitis C

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — A northeastern Washington man has been arrested after police say he stole jewelry from Macy's and threatened to stab a security guard with a dirty syringe.

Lt. Bob Vander Yacht tells the Bellingham Herald that 33-year-old Hans R. Eaton was captured on surveillance footage Monday walking out of Macy's in Bellingham with jewelry in his pocket. When a security guard stopped Eaton in the parking lot, Eaton mentioned there was a syringe in his pocket and that he might have Hepatitis C. He then fled.

Police posted a picture of the two men the next day on the department’s Facebook page, the Herald reports, and the public quickly helped identify Eaton.

Eaton was arrested at his home in Blaine Tuesday on suspicion of second-degree robbery and obstruction.

Vander Yacht says Eaton admitted to taking some items from Macy's, but said he was only warning the security guard of the needle, not threatening him.