Police Catch 'Huffing' Shoplifter

From The Argus Leader in South Dakota

A 34-year-old Sioux Falls man was arrested earlier this month for assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, shoplifting, and inhaling a substance for the purpose of becoming intoxicated. The suspect was caught stealing several cans of computer duster from a local store and ‘huffing’ their contents in the store’s restroom. Employees reportedly “heard a hissing noise coming from the bathroom” and immediately confronted the man and forced him to leave the premises. Employees then notified police of the incident, submitting a full description of the ‘huffer.’ Police located the suspect shortly thereafter, and despite a “brief scuffle” placed the suspect into custody. No injuries have been reported.

Suspects Caught Red-Handed

From the Gaston Gazette in Gastonia, North Carolina

Two young men are facing charges of shoplifting and inhaling toxic vapors after they entered a local Bi-Lo pharmacy store and stole several cans of whipped cream topping. The 21 and 25 year-old suspects were reportedly “inhaling fumes from the cans” while in the store. Police were called to the scene after the men allegedly took four cans from store shelves and exited without paying; each can priced at $4.39. Both were immediately jailed under $500 bonds.

Woman Huffs While Stealing Dusters

From NBC4i.com in Columbus Ohio:

Last March, a woman was caught stealing cans of computer dusting spray. She was also “huffing while she was shoplifting the items.” She faces up to 180 days in jail if convicted.

In the article, a counselor notes, “it’s not an addiction his counselors see often, but that when they do, it can have disastrous results.”