A man is in custody after he allegedly used a syringe to try to rob a Nanaimo knitting supply store.

Nanaimo RCMP responded shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday to Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter after a man, brandishing a syringe he allegedly threatened was infectious, entered the Mad About Ewe store, located at 321 Wesley St., and demanded money from the till, but panicked and fled before he received any money.

“He went in there, but didn’t get anything and fled,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.

Police found the suspect moments later by the China Steps in downtown Nanaimo where he had collapsed.

O’Brien said it appeared from the suspect’s symptoms he was in a drug-induced state and was experiencing significant medical distress, which required him to be hospitalized.

“He was treated and taken to hospital,” O’Brien said. “He is now in custody, facing a robbery charge for attempted robbery.”

The suspect was also in breach of his recognizance conditions from a previous robbery investigation.

No one was injured in the robbery attempt, but several of the store’s employees were traumatized by the event.

The 22-year-old man is scheduled to appear in Nanaimo provincial court today (Feb. 20).