Police: Woman Stole, Huffed Multiple Cans of Dust Remover Spray

A Phoenixville police officer reported finding a woman in “a state of stupor” in the woods behind on Nutt Road after she allegedly stole and huffed cans of 3M Dust Remover spray.

Jennifer Thompson, 27, of Coatesville, faces 11 charges of retail theft along with public drunkenness and illegal sale or use of solvents and noxious gases. She was arraigned on Nov. 4 in district court and released on $1,500 unsecured bail.

Officer John Sidiras reported being dispatched to at 1000 Nutt Road on Nov. 3 at 10:37 p.m. for a woman who stole multiple cans of dust remover. A loss prevention employee followed the woman to the parking lot, and she was described as a white woman with brown hair with blond streaks wearing brown-framed glasses, a gray sweatshirt, a black dress and black pants and holding a purple purse.

In his criminal complaint, Sidiras said he arrived and the employee pointed toward the wooded area behind Sears Hardware. Sidiras reported that, when walking along with another officer, he discovered a woman matching the description sitting behind a tree and allegedly holding a can of 3M Dust Remover spray to her nose.

“The female appeared to be in a state of stupor and displayed signs of inebriation,” the criminal complaint states. “Her responses were slow, her eyes were glassy and her speech was slightly slurred.”

The officer reported seeing four additional cans of 3M Dust Remover spray in plain sight in the woman’s purse.

The woman, identified as Thompson, was noted by the employee to be the same woman he saw leaving the store with the cans of spray earlier.

“[The employee] added that the female also was observed sleeping in the bathroom of the Kmart where an additional six cans of used 3M Dust Remover spray were found, and [he] added that none of the merchandise was fit to be returned to inventory,” the criminal complaint states.

The total loss amounted to $74.69, according to court documents. According to Sidiras’ report, Thompson admitted stealing the spray cans after she was read her rights.

Thompson was transported to the Phoenixville Police Station and placed on the holding bench until her arraignment. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 10 in .