LOWELL, Mass. -- A Lowell man who allegedly used an AIDS-tainted syringe as a robbery weapon last week was arraigned Thursday morning in Lowell District Court.

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Amalia Barreda Reports On Arraignment

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that because of his lengthy criminal record and the nature of the charges against him, prosecutors convinced the court to hold Ernesto Diaz behind bars pending a hearing to determine whether he is too dangerous to be released into society.

Diaz, who hid his face at his arraignment Thursday morning, was charged with armed and unarmed robbery.

The prosecutor told the court of the surveillance cameras that caught the hooded 32-year-old Lowell man allegedly robbing the Dunkin' Donuts inside the Saints Memorial Medical Center on Jan. 2. Clerks told police they emptied the cash register of $225 after Diaz allegedly threatened them with an AIDS-tainted syringe.

Earlier, it was a similar scenario at the Brooks Pharmacy on Church Street, except the threat didn't work.

"The defendant is alleged to have entered the store and demanded money from the clerk, at that time alleged to have been holding a syringe in his hand containing a yellow fluid. When the clerk observed the syringe, he indicated she should turn over the money because it had blood inside and wanted to know if she wanted to be infected. There were two additional witnesses present there; also a surveillance tape. The clerks did not give them the money. He then left the store," said Prosecutor Jennifer Leventry.

Diaz is also charged with robbing a Domino's Pizza on Dec. 29.

"He was interviewed regarding these incidents and did admit to all three," said Leventry.

Leventry told the court that Diaz has a six-page criminal record that includes 23 guilty findings. His cases include drug convictions, assault and battery, and disorderly conduct. He has served a year in jail for larceny and breaking and entering.

Diaz will return to court on Monday for a dangerousness hearing before Lowell District Court Judge Neil Walker. Until then, he will be held without bail.