Pharmacy staff threatened with syringe

Police are appealing for information after arresting a serial thief in Christchurch at the weekend.

In his latest offence, the 42-year-old allegedly threatened staff with a syringe at Sydenham Pharmacy on Sunday morning.

Police say he made off with a small amount of property before fleeing on a bicycle, but officers quickly tracked him to the nearby CPIT campus.

He gave himself up after throwing his bicycle at patrol staff and was found with the stolen property.

The accused appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday over the alleged robbery and was remanded in custody, but police believe he may be involved in other crimes.

The 42-year-old has already been charged with the aggravated robbery of Video Ezy on Stanmore Rd last month and is being questioned in connection with several other aggravated or attempted robberies over the last two months.

Police are appealing for any information or sightings of a man matching his description acting suspiciously around shops or retail outlets.

He is described a medium to solidly built man with a close-shaved hard and a black 'older-style' mountain bike.

The man is also known to wear an old white cycle helmet with the plastic covering removed, showing only the polystyrene inner.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Christchurch Police on (03) 363 7400, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Pharmacy staff threatened with syringe