San Francisco police arrested a Philadelphia man Saturday night after discovering around 100 nitrous oxide tanks in his trailer near Golden Gate Park.
Officers were patrolling the area around Fulton Street and 35th Avenue at approximately 11 p.m., as part of enhanced security for an ongoing concert series. During their patrol, they noticed an open trailer with a man inside. As they approached, officers observed several large metal tanks and suspected they contained nitrous oxide, commonly misused as a recreational inhalant.
Following an investigation that established probable cause, police arrested the suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Thomas Siderio of Philadelphia.
In addition to the tanks, police also found balloons, which are often used to inhale nitrous oxide. The trailer was towed as evidence, and Siderio was transported to San Francisco County Jail.
He faces charges including distribution or dispensing of nitrous oxide and possession with intent to ingest for intoxication, according to police.
Authorities emphasized that the presence of nitrous oxide in such quantities poses significant health and public safety risks, especially near large gatherings such as concerts.
