Earlier today, Sebastopol Police intervened in an incident where a 48-year-old man was discovered engaging in the inhalation of nitrous oxide within his vehicle. According to a social media post from the Sebastopol Police Department, officers were dispatched at around 10:17 AM to the 1100 block of Gravenstein Highway S after receiving a call concerning the welfare of the individual.
The scene unfolded with the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, continuously inhaling the substance even as officers were present. Despite their presence, he refused to step out or allow entry into the car. The intervention required the assistance of both the man's family and mental health responders, who were at the scene to establish a dialogue and negotiate with the man.
The negotiation efforts enabled police to eventually gain access to the car, after which the man was assisted out of the vehicle and taken into custody. "The male party was assisted from the vehicle and arrested," the Sebastopol Police Department noted in their statement. The man declined medical assistance at the scene. He was subsequently transported to the Sonoma County Jail, facing charges including violation of 381b PC for possession of nitrous oxide with the intent to intoxicate and 148(a)(1) PC for obstructing and resisting a peace officer.
