A man was arrested at about 10 p.m. Tuesday after police saw him passed out in his car with a can of air duster.
Gainesville Police responded to a call regarding a man huffing spray cans in Butler Plaza, at 3552 SW Archer Road, spokesman Officer Ben Tobias said.
When officers arrived at the location, police said Rodney Plylar was passed out in his vehicle, clutching a can of air duster to his chest. It appeared as if Plylar passed out after inhaling the toxic substance.
After he was read his rights, police said Plylar told them he was “huffing since the sun was up.”
Officers found about 50 cans of air duster after Plylar consented to a search of his vehicle. Most of the cans were empty. The can that Plylar was holding still had chemical in it and was cold, meaning it was recently used, police said.
Plylar was arrested on charges of inhaling harmful chemicals. He had a bond of $5,000 and was released shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Investigations determined the kidnapping incident involving Donald Mobley last week did not occur as originally reported.
The 61-year-old was arrested Sept. 16 on kidnapping and battery charges after police said he kicked a 6-year-old and forced her friend, 8, into his apartment.
However, Tobias said there were discrepancies in the 8-year-old’s original story. That, along with physical evidence, proves Mobley’s complete innocence, he said.
Police said they are now certain Mobley did not kidnap or harm the child in any way. Instead, police said she went inside of Mobley’s apartment voluntarily, and the door was left open while she was inside. The girl left Mobley’s residence after her friend threatened to tell her parents where she was.
GPD investigators filed paperwork with the State Attorney’s office stating the latest developments and suggesting Mobley be released from Alachua County Jail.
[A version of this story ran on page 4 on 9/25/2014]
