SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) – Sevier County authorities believe they may be dealing with at least two Freon huffing thieves.

Sevierville Police Detective Kevin Bush confirmed Tuesday afternoon that investigators are looking into several apparent Freon thefts over the last few weeks.

The most recent theft occurred Sunday afternoon at Reams Drug Store on Middle Creek Road. Surveillance video from the store showed two white teenagers or young men approach the business’s heating, ventilation and air condition unit in a blue late model Honda civic with Tennessee tags. Owners later noticed the unit wasn’t working, which was when they discovered the Freon had been taken.

Freon is the trademarked name for chlorofluorocarbon or CFC. CFC’s are a gas made of carbon, fluorine and chlorine which have a long history of use as refrigerants, in aerosol cans and as solvents. They have been heavily regulated since the late-1970s when it was discovered they had contributed to a hole in the Ozone.

Huffing Freon involves inhaling CFC gas to reduce the amount of oxygen that makes it to the brain. According to the Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center, huffing Freon causes “a rapid euphoric effect that is similar to alcohol intoxication.” Users feel excited, then drowsiness, lightheadedness and agitation. It also causes abusers to feel a “loss of inhibitions.” Signs of long term abuse include weight loss, muscle weakness, disorientation, trouble concentrating, lack of coordination, irritability and depression. Inhaling Freon can also cause breathing problems and result in death.

If you have any information about the reason Freon cases, call Det. Bush at the Sevierville Police Department by calling (865) 453-5506.