Man arrested in Newton for ‘huffing' propane

NEWTON - Martin L. Gibbs, an unemployed 42 year old male who resided in Newton at the time of his arrest, was arrested Friday, Oct. 20, after an investigation by Newton Police Detectives into a report that Gibbs had tampered with two 100 pound propane tanks located on the side a residence located at 113 High Street for the purpose of inhaling the propane fumes. Witnesses reported that after seeing Gibbs near the propane tanks, they smelled gas and saw suspected blood on the side of the tanks. Further investigation revealed that Gibbs jammed a butter knife into the fill valves of the tanks in order to allow propane gas to escape for the purpose of inhaling the toxic fumes. He was arrested and charged with the following offenses: Theft of Services NJS 2C:20-8C(2), Disorderly Persons Offense, Inhaling Toxic Chemical NJS 2C:35-10.4B(1), Disorderly Persons Offense Criminal Mischief NJS 2C:17-3A(1) Disorderly Persons Offense. According to Det. Lt. Michael Richards, Gibbs was served summons complaints charging him the listed offenses and released pending Court. As a result of the incident, the property owner had the tanks removed from the location for safety reasons.