ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A woman accused of hitting her boyfriend with part of a vacuum in a drinking dispute got locked up, an arrest affidavit states.

The case of the 32-year-old lady alleged to have employed part of a vacuum as a weapon during an imbibing imbroglio happened March 20 in Fort Pierce.

About 1:30 a.m., St. Lucie County sheriff’s deputies went to an address in the 13200 block of Orange Avenue.

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A man said his girlfriend was drunk and hit him “with a piece of a vacuum” because he wouldn’t let her keep drinking. He said the woman took his keys and drove off in his 2001 Pontiac.

Vacuum cleaners are a common tool used in house cleaning. Electric vacuum cleaners have been around more than a century, and involve a motor creating suction that draws dirt, dust and debris from rugs, carpets and floors and deposits it in a bag or container.

An early pioneer of vacuums is the late William Hoover, who in 1908 bought “James Murray Spangler’s patent for an electric suction sweeper which became known as the Hoover vacuum cleaner,” according to Ohio History Central.

A vacuum is not to be confused with a broom, which is used to sweep, or, in the case of witches, serves as a mode of transportation.

Meanwhile, the man spotted his Pontiac approaching the driveway. The vehicle sped away, but ultimately stopped.

Deputies took the woman into custody.

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The woman said the argument occurred because she wanted some vodka, an alcoholic beverage made by distilling wheat, rye or potatoes, but her boyfriend wouldn’t give it to her.

She denied taking his vehicle or hitting him with the vacuum, but said she did punch him in the eye.

Investigators found part of a vacuum in the road.

The woman was jailed on charges of battery and grand theft.

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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. He also covers strange, wild and weird Treasure Coast crimes in “Off The Beat.” Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-692-8936. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com

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