Alleged needle-carrying robber arrested

Delaware state police today arrested the man wanted for allegedly threatening store employees with hypodermic needles during robberies.

Kevin Michael Cox, 37, of Wilmington, was taken into custody without incident this afternoon as he rode in a taxi on Route 13 in New Castle, police said. Cox has been charged with aggravated menacing, possession of a deadly weapon, attempted robbery, and related crimes. He was being held at the Howard Young Correctional Institute on $93,000 cash bail.

The Lexus that police said was used in the robberies was not located. Authorities said Cox had changed his hair color to black in the last few days.

Cox allegedly brandished syringes he said were infected with the virus that causes AIDS to rob a Rehoboth steak shop Saturday. The same threat was used in the attempted robbery of a New Castle County hair salon Monday, Delaware police said.

Cox allegedly struck Sunday at a bathing-suit store in the Glen Eagle Shopping Center in Concord Township. The next day, he hit a tanning parlor in Concord, police said.