A combative driver apparently cranked up on crystal meth was taken to New Bridge Medical Center in police custody after a Mahwah officer caught him speeding in a stolen van, authorities said.

Officer Daniel Stewart chased the 2001 Chevy van Saturday afternoon from Campgaw Road in Mahwah to Pulis Avenue in Franklin Lakes before 31-year-old Bruno Ferreira finally pulled over, Police Chief James N. Batelli said.

Ferreira, who wasn't carrying identification, was taken to police headquarters, where he "become combative and had to be restrained" during a search, Batelli said.

Officers found him a large bag of crystal meth stuffed down his pants, the chief said.

They contacted their colleagues in Union Township, where the van had been stolen, he said.

Ferreira, meanwhile, “continued to act in an irrational and aggressive manner” and was taken to New Bridge in Paramus, the chief said.

Police charged him with crystal methamphetamine possession, eluding, obstruction and receiving stolen property.

Assisting Stewart were Mahwah Police Lt. Harry Hunt and Officers Rob Birney and William Hunt and Franklin Lakes Officers Matthew Geyer and Richard Osenbruck.

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