Cops: Man Tried to Rob Cafe by Threatening to...Spread His Staph Infection

A Pennsylvania man tried to rob an Internet gambling cafe by threatening to spread a staph infection, police say.

Fred L. Parker, 41, was charged with robbery and making terrorist threats after he allegedly walked into Lucky's Internet Cafe Monday and started touching the walls and machines, claiming he had MRSA, the Sharon Herald reported. MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that is highly contagious and can be fatal.

Sharon Police Chief Mike Menster told the newspaper Parker then approached the cashier and demanded money, telling him that if he didn’t cooperate, he’d touch him and infect him.

“It’s our first case of robbery by threat of an infectious disease,” Menster said.

Parker said he'd walk away if the cashier gave him money, police said. The clerk refused and Parker left anyway.

He was arrested a short time later based on a description from the clerk and from customers.

He was taken to the county jail after failing to post bond and will have a preliminary hearing Feb. 1, according to the Herald.