Police: NY man in hazmat suit prank at Glen Rock florist identified, arrested

Glen Rock police say the man stated he was trying to establish himself as a “YouTuber” and recorded the incident to post.

Lanette Espy

Feb 28, 2023, 4:45 PM

Updated 667 days ago

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Police: NY man in hazmat suit prank at Glen Rock florist identified, arrested
A 22-year-old man who put on a hazmat suit and sprayed an unknown substance at a Glen Rock flower shop on Jan. 16 was arrested, according to police.
Glen Rock police say Robert Houston of Middletown, New York, surrendered himself at police headquarters after being identified. They say he confessed to the incident and called it a prank.
On Jan. 16, police say Houston entered Perry's Florist in a hazmat suit and began spraying plants and flowers with an unknown substance before fleeing the scene when confronted by the business owner. Police say Houston stated he was trying to establish himself as a “YouTuber” and recorded the incident to post. He claims there was no substance inside the sprayer he used.
Police say the owner of Perry’s Florist removed the plants and flowers that were tampered with from the showroom floor for safety reasons. The owner reported the value of the flowers and plants tampered with was $726.50, according to police.
Houston was charged with criminal mischief. Police say he was processed and released pending a court appearance on Feb. 17.