Joseph Feliciano, 22, entered the guilty plea on Wednesday, Oct. 23 for two counts of third-degree eluding and third-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.
Atlantic City police saw a stolen vehicle go through a red light at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Caspian avenues before speeding away at around 6:55 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22. Officers pulled over the vehicle but it sped away onto Route 30 as they approached it.
The vehicle led police on a chase, passing other vehicles while driving more than 100 mph. Officers tried to catch the suspect but the vehicle was last seen running more red lights on Route 30.
Pleasantville police stopped Feliciano while he drove the suspected vehicle on Monday, Jan. 29. Feliciano was arrested and admitted to leading the chase a week ago.
About a month later, state troopers and Pleasantville police discovered drug activity near Kings Food Store on Noth Main Street on Sunday, Feb. 18. A drug deal was seen from the passenger side of a tinted black Honda with New Jersey license plates.
Police stopped the Honda and Feliciano was a passenger. Officers searched the vehicle, uncovering crack cocaine and a black digital scale.
Feliciano was found with $2,086 in cash. During his plea, he admitted the cocaine was his and that he was trying to sell it.
On Friday, Mar. 29, Atlantic City police tried to stop Feliciano while he was driving and committed several traffic violations. He sped through the city and went onto the Atlantic City Expressway towards Pleasantville.
Feliciano also admitted to eluding the police in his guilty plea. His deal called for a four-year state prison sentence.
Sentencing was scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 12, 2025.
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