A woman was arrested after allegedly inhaling an aerosol can in a 7-Eleven parking lot.
Officers responded to 7-Eleven, located at 2058 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, regarding 35-year-old Brandi Mitchell of Ocala “huffing” behind the wheel in the parking lot around 10:55 a.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
An officer with the Lady Lake Police Department went to assist and saw her with the nozzle of an aerosol can in her mouth. She actively inhaled it while slumped over the wheel of her vehicle. She seemed barely conscious and very dazed, not responding to his attempts at getting her attention, the report said.
Once Mitchell noticed him, she started to reach around her vehicle while he told her to stop. She did not listen and was asked to step out of her vehicle instead. She was then handcuffed, during which the officers saw her eyes were bloodshot and watery, the report said.
She was now conscious and alert. But when asked what day it was, she said Oct. 2. After being evaluated by EMS, she agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises but lost her balance and seemed tense during them, the report said.
A subsequent search of her vehicle revealed an “Electronic Duster” aerosol can with the straw attached on the dashboard. It was cold to the touch and had condensation on the outside, indicating recent use. There was also a Walmart bag with another can and a receipt for the two cans from about 30 minutes before, the report said.
Mitchell was charged with DUI and transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $1,000.