Hernando Sheriff's deputies arrested a man who reportedly broke into a Spring Hill store, then sprayed himself with fire extinguishers in an effort to elude capture.
Authorities say on March 4 Anthony Dixon, 18, turned off the power to a Family Dollar store at 10620 Northcliffe Boulevard from the outside, then used a cinder block to break the store's front glass window.
Deputies were alerted to the break-in by a 911 call from someone in the area who heard the sound of breaking glass, then saw Dixon running from the store.
A subsequent search for the suspect led to deputies to an area where a large amount of a white powdery substance had been sprayed, as well as two spent fire extinguishers stolen from a nearby apartment complex.
Tips from bystanders eventually led deputies to Dixon, who they noted had a white powdery substance on his legs. They took Dixon into custody without Further incident.
When deputies questioned Dixon, he admitted to breaking into the Family Dollar store to steal cigarettes. He also admitted to stealing the fire extinguishers from Mariner Cay Apartments at 4253 Central Park Drive and spraying himself with them in an effort to elude authorities.
Deputies charged Dixon with burglary and criminal mischief, along with two counts of grand theft for the stolen fire extinguishers. His bond was set at $11,000.