Huffing Puts A Sonora Man Behind Bars

By Tracey Petersen Published Jul 12, 2012 05:33 pm Updated Jul 12, 2012 05:38 pm

Sonora, CA -A Sonora Police officer responded to a report of a man down. It happened Wednesday around 8am behind the PetSmart. Police says the officers immediately recognized 34 year old Matthew Hardie and found several aerosol cans lying around him.

Police say they have had other run-ins with Hardie for inhaling compressed air, which contains Toluene. This is commonly referred to as “huffing.” Huffing causes an immediately high. However, it is extremely dangerous and kills brain cells.

Hardie was arrested for possession of toluene with the intent of inhaling it and being under the influence of toluene. He was taken to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked.

At around 2:30 in the afternoon on the same day, the same Officer was dispatched to Wal Mart regarding a male hiding between planter boxes inhaling something. When the Officer walked up to the man, he was pulling an aerosol can away from his mouth. Police say it was Hardie once again.

Hardie was arrested for a second time for possession of toluene with intent of inhaling it and being under the influence of toluene. He was taken to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked on the new charges.