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Sheriff: Bloomingdale Drive-By Drug Buyer Nearly Runs Down Detective

PATERSON, N.J. -- A drive-by drug buyer from out of town nearly ran down a Passaic County sheriff's detective during a Paterson street bust, authorities said.

Mathew Paventa, Savion L. Clark

Mathew Paventa, Savion L. Clark

Photo Credit: MUGSHOTS: Courtesy PASSAIC COUNTY SHERIFF

Acting on a tip, detectives were watching when a red Mazda double-parked in front of 247 Liberty Street around 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said.

Moments later, 27-year-old Savion L. Clark came out, handed the driver several items and received cash in return, the sheriff said.

Clark then got into an idling black Chevrolet as detectives moved in.

Seeing this, driver Mathew Paventa, 28, of Bloomingdale hit the gas, nearly running over a detective, Berdnik said.

A brief car chase followed before Paventa pulled over at the intersection of Preakness and Totowa avenues, where he was arrested, the sheriff said.

Detecdtives found him carrying three zip-locking baggies of crack and 19 folds of heroin, he said.

Clark was taken into custody, as well.

Detectives seized $233 in alleged drug proceeds, then got Clark's consent to search his first-floor apartment -- where they found a half-ounce of crack and several baggies for packaging it for sale, Berdnik said.

Clark was charged with a quartet of drug possession counts and Paventa with resisting arrest, eluding and drug possession.

Both were released pending hearings.

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