Guns And Ammo: Woman Arrested After Bringing Both To Hospital, Police Say

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- A woman was arrested at a hospital in Santa Rosa over the weekend after she was allegedly found in possession of a handgun and ammunition, according to police.

Police said officers responded to a parking lot at Memorial Hospital located at 1165 Montgomery Drive around noon on Saturday, April 22 on reports of an armed woman inside a vehicle.

According to police, the woman's car was parked near the emergency room entrance where several people were walking, and that an officer was able to make contact with the woman while she was in her vehicle, as other officers arrived on scene.

During this time the woman, Vanessa Harlan, allegedly began breathing in nitrous oxide from a whipped cream dispenser.

After other officers arrived, Harlan was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. A .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol and a loaded magazine were found in two purses on the floor of the vehicle.

Police said it didn't appear that Harlan had brandished the weapons in a threatening manner.

According to police, Harlan was arrested on suspicion of inhaling nitrous oxide with the intent to get high, and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Images via Santa Rosa police