Crime & Safety

Man Hides Drugs in Sock at AMH, Police Say

The man was receiving treatment at Abington Memorial.

Original reporting by Mischa Arnosky

Police arrested a North Wales man last month after he allegedly brought some contraband with him to the hospital.

Michel Passarella, 36, of Steeplechase Drive, was arrested July 1 shortly after 11 p.m. at Abington Memorial Hospital after an emergency room nurse found suspected drugs in Passarella’s sock, police said. According to police, Passarella was receiving treatment following a car crash in Whitpain Township earlier that day.

In Passarella’s sock was a small clear Ziploc bag containing a white powdery substance and five suspected oxycodone pills, police said. He was charged with drug possession.

According to court documents, Passarella was arrested four days later in Montgomery Township and was charged with aggravated assault; robbery with injuries; reckless endangerment; and weapons and drug charges.

He is scheduled to be formally arraigned Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Judge William T. Nicholas for the Montgomery Township incident.


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