Manasquan Police are investigating an apparent theft of freon from a large air conditioning unit, Chief Elliott Correia said.

Correia said two individuals were reported June 23 being seen removing freon from an air conditioning unit outside a Main Street apartment building. 

Freon, used as a refrigerant and aerosol propellant, is a commonly abused inhalant, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

Inhaling freon can result in sudden sniffing death syndrome, respiratory obstruction and death (from sudden cooling/cold injury to airways), and liver damage, the institute says. 

Correia said this was the first reported freon theft he has heard of in town. 

Patrolman John Mahoney investigated the incident.