A Wildwood man was arrested on a drug charge after being found slumped over in his vehicle parked at an apartment complex.
An officer responded to the Livano apartment complex, which is near the new Costco in The Villages, regarding a suspicious person around 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department. Dispatch advised that 43-year-old Michael Allen Brown had been slumped over, asleep for several hours in a dark green passenger car that was still running.
An employee at the apartments led the officer to a dark green Toyota Avalon parked with the engine running. The officer could see Brown in the vehicle, still partially slumped over. He knocked on the window, and Brown woke up to roll his window down, the report said.
Brown advised that he was just tired and taking a nap in his car. He also stated he lived in the apartment complex. He then grabbed several cards and shuffled through them to find his driver’s license, during which he mentioned getting tired easily, the report said.
The officer offered to have EMS evaluate him, but he refused, saying he was OK. He continued looking for his license, and the officer noticed he seemed to be purposely avoiding using his left hand on the driver’s door armrest. He moved it after a moment, revealing a blue cut straw with a slightly melted end, the report said.
Brown was subsequently asked to step out of the vehicle. As he did so, the officer saw another blue cut straw with a melted end next to a lighter in the driver’s seat. The officer proceeded to pat him down, and he admitted the straws were paraphernalia, the report said.
Another officer came to the scene as backup and advised that Brown had a history of fentanyl usage. Brown stated he did use fentanyl, and that was what the straws were for. However, the straws tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
Brown was arrested on charge of drug equipment (possess or use). He was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $500 bond.