A homeless man caught stealing toiletries poked a store employee with a hypodermic needle and claimed to have HIV, police sources said.
The 44-year-old suspect was seen by Rite Aid security stuffing body wash, Aleve and other merchandise in his pockets at the pharmacy on 31st Street and Second Avenue around 8:30 a.m., according to police.
But when a store employee got involved, the man pulled out the needle and stabbed him in the right hand with it and said he was HIV-positive, the sources said.
Security was able to subdue the homeless man until police responded, and he was arrested and taken into police custody.
The worker, 44, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, authorities said.
Charges were pending, cops said.