February 11, 1999
An Urban Legend Come to Life?
In apparent copycat incidents mimicking a well-known Internet rumor, two people in Pulaski, Virginia were reportedly injured by hypodermic needles when they put their fingers into the coin return slots of public phones. According to a Roanoke Times article published Thursday, more needles were found in post office mail slots and a bank night deposit box in nearby Speedwell. Police were unsure whether the incidents were pranks, but said, "No one is laughing."
The rumor that drug addicts are hiding used hypodermic needles in pay phone coin slots began circulating on the Internet in November of last year, causing fear in big cities from San Diego to Singapore. The Virginia incidents, if they don't prove to be a hoax or a prank, would be the first documented cases.
Update: More copycat incidents in the Virginias.
