A discarded syringe. (DAVID BLOOM/QMI AGENCY)

VANCOUVER - Abbotsford police are hunting for a man armed with an “AIDS infected” syringe after a woman was staked out and robbed as she pulled up to a drive-through bank machine.

Const. Ian MacDonald said police couldn’t recall the last time a person used a syringe to rob someone at the ATM, but were especially concerned about the “predatory” nature of the robbery.

The 37-year-old Abbotsford woman drove up to the machine at West Oaks Mall around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday when a man wearing a ski mask and gloves told her to punch in her PIN number.

“He was also holding a syringe that he stated contained AIDS-infected blood. The victim wisely followed the suspect’s demands,” MacDonald said.

Officers are expected to be on the lookout in days to come, especially around ATMs and banks.

“There’s a bit of a predatory nature to this robbery in that he, likely, was standing in or close to that ATM for a period of time,” MacDonald said.

“He’s waiting for an opportunity for a single individual, for a single occupant to drive up.”

Those with tips are asked to call police at 604-859-5225.