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Passaic Sheriff's Squad Nabs Paterson Fugitive Who Pinned Trooper With Car

PATERSON, N.J. -- Passaic County Sheriff Richard Bernik's warrants squad continued a steady string of successes when its members tracked down a fugitive in Paterson who was convicted of pinning a New Jersey State Police trooper with his car while fleeing.

Ariel Acosta

Ariel Acosta

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Passaic County Sheriff

Ariel Acosta, 29, of Summer Street skipped a sentence a week earlier that will keep him in state prison for more than five years before he's eligible for parole.

It was in September 2012 when State Police investigators said they approached Acosta after seeing him dealing drugs in the parking lot of a shopping center at Chamberlain Avenue and West Broadway.

Acosta tried to flee and was shot at by a trooper while driving his black Lexus at him, pinning the officer between the vehicle and a wall, authorities said.

Acosta failed to appear for sentencing on Sept. 23 and a fugitive warrant was issued.

Just before 5 p.m. Friday, he was spotted and taken into custody without incident by PCSO Warrants Division Detective Sgt. Raphael Garcia, Detective Cpl. Joseph Cammisa and Detectives Rashedul Chowdhury and John Tolerico, Berdnik said.

He was being held without bail, pending sentencing, in the Passaic County Jail, the sheriff said.

Acosta will be sentenced to a plea-bargained six years behind bars, 85% of which he must serve before he will be eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act.

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