A woman in Port St. Lucie, Florida, was placed in handcuffs shortly after allegedly refusing to stop huffing nitrous oxide while in a shared drive. According to the police, she continued to do so even after she was taken to a police station.
According to a post made by the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD), the incident occurred on Wednesday, June 8. During the afternoon, officers responded to what the police department referred to as an “unusual call.”
More bizarre yet, the officers didn’t need to travel far. The case was right in their face, as the individuals involved were right at the PSLPD’s doorstep.
As soon as they exited the police station, officers encountered a rare sight. A ride-share driver and a woman, who, according to the police, was huffing nitrous oxide.
A Trip to the Police Station
Before the impromptu trip to the PSLPD, the driver had picked up a woman later identified as 37-year-old Pamela Molina. Soon, she became an unruly passenger, disrupting the rideshare driver’s afternoon shift.
According to the police, Molina began huffing nitrous oxide from a large canister while inside the vehicle. Photos shared by the police department showed a 3.3-liter NITROX canister. The driver insisted on her to stop, to no avail.
Eventually, the driver asked her to exit her car multiple times. She refused, which led them both to the police station.
Suspect Arrested
Photo Source: Port St. Lucie Police Department
Officers came across Molina still inside the vehicle in question. She is accused of actively inhaling the nitrous oxide, even in the presence of law enforcement agents.
The PSLPD detailed that the 37-year-old woman refused to comply with lawful commands and resisted being removed from the car. Eventually, officers were successful in removing her, and she was placed under arrest.
She is charged with inhaling nitrous oxide to reduce intoxication and resisting an officer without violence. If convicted of the resisting charge, she could face up to a year in jail.
Dangers of Nitrous Oxide Inhalation
Inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters or other commercialized products can result in various adverse events, some of them severe. According to the FDA, symptoms include, but are not limited to, asphyxiation, blood clots, frostbite, paralysis, trouble walking, and even death.
The FDA also provides a list of brand names that can lead to these events if misused. These include Baking Bad, Euro Gas, Galaxy Gas, MassGass, and, in Molina’s case, NITROX, among others.
“While we can appreciate the irony of where this happened, substance abuse is a serious matter,” the PSLPD said. “Our officers are committed to enforcing the law and keeping our community safe!”If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.