PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A ride-share driver’s trip took an unexpected turn outside the Port St. Lucie Police Department when officers said an unruly passenger refused to get out of the vehicle while inhaling nitrous oxide.
Police said officers were called Wednesday afternoon to the department’s parking lot after the ride-share driver drove directly to PSLPD for help. According to the department, the passenger, identified as 37-year-old Pamela Molina, was actively inhaling nitrous oxide from a large canister and would not leave the vehicle.
The incident happened outside the department’s front doors, in parking spaces used by the police public information team.
When officers approached the vehicle, police said Molina continued inhaling, or “huffing,” the nitrous oxide and refused lawful commands. Officers said she also resisted efforts to safely remove her from the vehicle.
Molina was ultimately taken out of the vehicle and arrested without further incident, according to police.
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She is charged with inhaling nitrous oxide to induce intoxication and resisting an officer without violence.
Port St. Lucie Police said 37-year-old Pamela Molina, was actively inhaling nitrous oxide from a large canister and would not leave the vehicle in their parking lot. (PSLPD)
The department noted the unusual location of the arrest in a Facebook post, joking that the incident “literally” parked itself in the spaces used by the team that writes the department’s public updates. Police also stressed that substance abuse is a serious matter and said officers remain committed to enforcing the law and keeping the community safe.