Three Charged in Alleged Drug Bust in Chili's Parking Lot

Three New York men were arrested on drug charges outside  late Thursday night after a two-month investigation. A fourth suspect is still at large, authorities said. 

Glen Peguero, 23, and Otoniel Mercedes, 25, both of Bronx, NY along with Terrell Ownens, 24 of New York City, were charged with resisting arrest and possession of marijuana with an intent to distribute, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said in a press release. All three men were remanded to the Bergen County Jail.

A collaborative investigation run by Ridgefield and and the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force, began in Ridgefield during mid-August when Felix Pena, 27, of Passaic, allegedly sold two ounces of marijuana for $720 to an undercover detective from the BCPO Narcotic Task Force, according to Molinelli's release. The following week a second transaction occured in Paramus as Pena sold an additional two ounces for $670, Molinelli said. 

On Thursday, officers organized a meeting with Pena outside of Chili's later that evening for the purchase of three pounds of marijuana for approximately $10,000. During the scheduled meeting, Pena arrived in a black Lexus with New York plates. At that time, police saw a Chevy Malibu occupied by three individuals that were later identified as Peguero and Mercedes and a still unknown suspect. A fourth suspect, Owens, was observed walking towards the undercover vehicle during the alleged transaction, authorities said. 

According to Molinelli, as police officers went to arrest the four men, Pena who had entered his vehicle, drove the Lexus towards detectives in an attempt to flee, striking Owens before exiting onto Route 17 South. Peguero and Mercedes who were still in the Chevy Malibu followed Pena onto Route 17 South.

Paramus officers pursued the Malibu and subsquently arrested Peguero and Mercedes following chase on foot. The third occupant, whose identity is not known at this time, eluded police and has not been located.

Pena continued to flee down Route 17, stopping briefly to discard a bag, according to witnesses. Detectives recovered the bag which was found to contain the marijuana that the undercover detective was negotiating to purchase. 

Owens was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center for observation after being struck by Pena's vehicle. He was later released into police custody for processing.

Owens, Peguero and Mercedes are currently being held at the Bergen County Jail Annex in lieu of $75,000 bail without a 10% cash option on charges of resisting arrest and possession with intent to distribute.

At this time, Pena's whereabouts are unknown and warrants have been issued for his arrest with a pending bail of $500,000 with no 10% cash option. He has been charged with possession with intent to distribute, causing bodily harm to Owens by striking him with a motor vehicle in an attempt to flee police and aggravated assault by motor vehicle towards police.

Anyone who has seen Pena should contact the Prosecutor's Office at 201-646-2300 or their local police department.

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