Ocean View man arrested for shoplifting, lewdness

BEAR, Del. – An Ocean View man is behind bars for shoplifting and lewdness.

The investigation began just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, at the Lowes located at 1030 East Songsmith Drive in Bear. Troopers initially responded to the store for a report of a shoplifter at the store and learned from employees that there was a man who had passed out in a store aisle after he intentionally inhaled numerous cans of air duster spray that he did not purchase. The suspect had also allegedly exposed himself and vomited on himself while in the store, disturbing other shoppers.

Troopers made contact with the man, identified as 30-year-old Dane Smith, who reportedly rose to his feet and made a fist. The trooper tried to take Smith into custody, but he physically resisted arrest and struggled with the trooper. The trooper was able to handcuff Smith after using her Taser to gain compliance.

Smith was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and later released. He was then arrested and charged with resisting arrest with force or violence, offensive touching of a law enforcement officer, shoplifting under $1500, lewdness, menacing, inhaling intoxicating fumes or vapors, or disorderly conduct. Smith was held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $6,000 secured bond.