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Thief Claiming He Has HIV Stabs Macy's Guards With Hypodermic Needle: NYPD

By Maya Rajamani | April 21, 2017 2:09pm | Updated on April 24, 2017 8:48am
 Robert Percodan's mugshot from Feb. 3, 2017.
Robert Percodan's mugshot from Feb. 3, 2017.
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NYS Department of Correction

MIDTOWN SOUTH — A homeless shoplifter claiming to be HIV-positive stabbed three Macy’s security guards with a hypodermic needle and bit another guard while trying to steal from the store, officials said.

A security guard saw Robert Percodan, 25, put store merchandise in a bag and try to leave Macy’s Herald Square without paying for the items around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, police and a complaint filed with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said.

When a guard confronted Percodan, he pulled out a hypodermic needle, the DA’s office said.

“I’m going to stab you. I have HIV,” he told the guard, according to the complaint.

Percodan then stabbed the guard in the hand with the needle before sticking two other guards who tried to subdue him and biting a fourth, the DA’s office said.

 “I’m going to stab you. I have HIV,” he told a security guards, according to prosecutors.
“I’m going to stab you. I have HIV,” he told a security guards, according to prosecutors.
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He was arrested and charged with three counts of assault in the second degree, one count of assault in the third degree, one count of robbery and one count of petit larceny, the complaint said.

In 2015, he was sentenced to one to three years in jail for criminal possession of stolen property, according to state Department of Correction records.

He was released on parole in February, records show.

Following the attack at Macy's, Percodan was transported to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric treatment, police said.

He’s currently being held at the Anna M. Cross Correctional Facility and is next expected to appear in court on April 25, city Department of Correction records show.

His attorney and a spokesman for Macy's did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday.

The New York Post first reported on the arrest.