Howard County police charged the man they believe was responsible for two robberies, including the robbery of an Ellicott City CVS with a syringe last month.
Benjamin Frederick Blessing was arrested and charged with armed robbery, first- and second-degree assault, theft, and reckless endangerment.
Last October, the suspect attempted to get cash from a woman and her young child at an ATM machine, police said. The suspect approached the woman with what appeared to be a Taser device and demanded money, police said.
The woman saw a cab pull up to the bank and shouted to the suspect that the police were there, authorities said. The suspect walked out of the bank, officials said.
There were no injuries reported and no money stolen.
In April, Blessing entered a CVS in the 3300 block of Centennial Lane and held a syringe near the pharmacist’s chest, saying the syringe was filled with AIDS-tainted blood and forcing the pharmacist to open a safe containing prescription medication, police said.
The suspect took off with more than $27,000 worth of various prescription medications, police said.
No injuries were reported.
Police obtained a search and seizure warrant for Blessing’s home and recovered several pieces of evidence, including medications stolen during the CVS robbery.
Blessing is currently being held in the Howard County Detention Center on $170,000 bond.
