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Thief Brandishing Hypodermic Needle Robs Watsonville Jewelry Store

WATSONVILLE (CBS SF) -- Watsonville police are searching for a man who robbed a jewelry store over the weekend and threatened an employee with a hypodermic needle.

On Saturday officers responded to reports of a robbery at Ideal Jewelry in the 1400 block of Freedom Boulevard, according to Watsonville police.

A lone suspect -- who was later identified as 43-year-old Eric Sanchez -- had entered the business armed with a knife and a hypodermic needle, police said.

Sanchez allegedly told a store employee that he had communicable diseases, police said.

He stole several items of jewelry and fled the area on a bicycle, police said.

No one was injured.

Police reviewed video surveillance and identified Sanchez as the prime suspect.

Investigators searched Sanchez' home and found property stolen from the store, police said.

Sanchez has not been arrested, and police are asking anyone who might have information about the suspect's whereabouts to contact Watsonville police at (831) 768-3350.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

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