Alleged Heroin Dealer Slams Local Police Vehicle During Salem Sting

One of the Marblehead Police Department's surveillance vehicles was reportedly damaged Thursday night when a pair of alleged heroin dealers attempted to flee the scene of a controlled drug buy on Putnam Street in Salem.

On Thursday, Salem Police Department detectives were granted an arrest warrant for Paul Iudice, 29, of 26 Elizabeth Lane, Peabody, after he reportedly sold heroin to an undercover police officer on three separate occasions.

Around 9 p.m. Thursday, Salem detectives arranged to make a controlled buy of heroin near the intersection of Varney and Putnam streets and Iudice reportedly showed up in a Toyota Camry and sold "a twist of heroin" to an undercover officer in exchange for marked buy money.

When detectives tried to stop the car after the drug deal, the driver, Jessica A. White, 20, of 22 Blue Jay Road, Lynnfield, reportedly put the car into reverse and slammed into a Marblehead Police Department surveillance vehicle driven by Marblehead detective Brendan Finnegan.

The impact of the vehicle slamming into the cruiser reportedly caused Salem Sgt. Kristian Hanson to "get thrown to the ground due to his motor vehicle's door hitting him," according to Thursday's police log transcript.

Hanson reportedly suffered abrasions to his left hand and later complained of back pain.

The surveillance vehicle White slammed into was reportedly pushed into a third car, which was a Salem Police Department surveillance vehicle.

Iudice was arrested on a charge of possessing a class A substance (heroin) with intent to distribute after he was reportedly found to have the marked buy money in his possession.

White was arrested on charges of possessing a class A substance (heroin) with intent to distribute; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (motor vehicle); and assault and battery on a police officer. 

Also assisting on the investigation was Marblehead detective Sgt. Sean Brady.