Hunter
02/18/20
An Iowa City woman who was allegedly found with hundreds of Nitrous Oxide canisters has been taken into custody on a number of charges.
According to police, 22-year-old Ziyuan Zhong of South Van Buren Street was stopped near the intersection of Burlington and Gilbert Streets Monday at approximately 10:45pm when her 2014 Maserati was observed with no front plate and tinted front-side windows. A check of the registration showed the owner of the vehicle to have a driving status as barred as a habitual offender until December of 2021.
Police contacted Zhong when she pulled into a nearby gas station. When asked if she was the owner of the vehicle, she allegedly said she wasn’t, and that it belonged to her friend. She provided an Ohio driver’s license and claimed to be the person pictured, but police report that it clearly wasn’t her.
Zhong’s identity was verified with a booking photo, and she allegedly admitted she lied because she knew her license wasn’t valid. She reportedly had bloodshot watery eyes, dilated pupils, impaired speech and impaired balance.
Police report that the vehicle contained several hundred spent “Whip It” brand Nitrous Oxide canisters, as well as three dispensers for the canisters. Zhong allegedly admitted to using 50 to 75 canisters between 3 and 7pm. She told police that she uses the canisters because it makes her feel good, and volunteered that she typically uses upwards of 200 canisters a week.
Zhong was arrested and charged with first offense OWI, possession of Nitrous Oxide, Driving while Barred and Providing False ID Information. If convicted on all charges, Zhong could be sentenced to over four years in prison.