Cops: Driver arrested after inhaling dust cleaner spray

A motorist who led Hempstead Village police on a chase was later found stopped on the Southern State Parkway, inhaling dust cleaning spray and refusing to leave his car, State Police said Tuesday.

Shatik Canady, 36, of Freeport, stole several cans of dust spray shortly before 8 a.m. Monday from the Staples store on Peninsula Boulevard in Hempstead, police said.

He drove off in a Chevrolet Malibu and was pursued by village officers, who notified state troopers about the chase as Canady entered the Southern State Parkway at Exit 21, which is Nassau Road, State Police said.

Troopers later found the car stopped near Exit 17, Hempstead Avenue, and saw Canady "huffing" the dust spray, police said.

Canady at first refused to leave, but troopers pulled him out of the car, police said.

"He was high from inhaling the dust cans you might buy for cleaning keyboards," said Frank Bandiero, a state police spokesman, referring to compressed-gas dusters that contain a liquefied gas. "Apparently you inhale the gases in these cans and it gives you a short-lived high."

Canady was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, resisting arrest and petty larceny. He was released and given an appearance ticket with a July 9 court date.