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NYPD Identifies Man It Believes Is Hypodermic Needle Robber

Updated at 12:24 a.m., Sept. 29, 2012

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There was a break in a case Friday night as the NYPD continued to hunt down a serial thief that is stalking the streets armed with a hypodermic needle.

The robber has hit at least eight times in recent weeks, threatening his targets with a syringe or knife.

Investigators now believe they know exactly who they are looking for, CBS 2's Sean Hennessey reported.

The needle nut has continued to have his way in the Bronx, striking a half dozen more times in just two weeks.

"It's just like insane. He actually thought of that and came up with the idea of actually stabbing people with a needle," said Stephen Spinelli of the Bronx.

Police said Angel Anthony Cintron is armed with a hypodermic needle and threatens to stab his victims if they don't cough up whatever valuables they have.

"It's kind of sickening, really, because you threatening people with hypodermic needle, you scaring them. You don't know if you can get AIDS, hepatitis or something like that, so, it's a little messed up," Ron Jackson of the Bronx said.

The fear of the unknown has been effective for Cintron. Police said he's walked away with cell phones, iPad's, iPods, money, wallets, and credit cards.

"You don't want to be infected with HIV. That's something you have to live with the rest of your life, so that's something you would just hand your stuff over to," said Renee Pandolfo of the Bronx.

Investigators said Cintron began the hypodermic hold-ups in mid-August and since then has struck eight times, mostly along East Tremont Avenue. His targets have been men, police said.

"Sometimes you take your kids out, they have iPad, they're going to rob him. That's very dangerous," said resident Waleed Nasser.

The 39-year-old suspect is said to have tattoos on both sides of his neck. While some said they'd give him what he wants if confronted, others took a more combative approach.

"I'm not going to get hurt for something I can get it back," Nasser said.

"I'd probably try and fight off. I don't give nothing up," James Siclari added.

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