Passed Out Man in Overheating Car Charged With Heroin Possession

A Brockton man was found passed out in a car that nearly caught on fire, according to police.

Michael Phippen, 52, was arrested last Friday and charged with possession of a class A drug (subsequent offense) and obstruction of justice.

According to court records, police received a call around 5 p.m. for a man who appeared to be sleeping in a car that was on fire. When police arrived, the car was not on fire but was overheating.

After Phippen woke up and spoke to officers, he said he was sleeping in his friend’s car. The incident report notes that his behavior was indicative of someone who used heroin. He was also slurring his words, unsteady, and has his hands in his pockets like he was hiding something.

During a pat down of Phippen, police found several used syringes and what was later confirmed to be two grams of heroin.

Phippen was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and later booked at the Stoughton Police Department. He was arraigned in Stoughton District Court on Oct. 5.