STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man is on the run and a woman is facing several charges after police say they found children in a car with pot after a chase in Monroe County Sunday.
According to court documents, on Sunday at about 11:10 p.m., a state trooper was driving east on State Route 611 in Stroudsburg when they saw a silver Mercedes traveling in front of them.
State police say the car was seen swerving on the road and driving above the posted speed limit.
The trooper then activated their emergency lights and attempted to pull the car over.
After an extended period of time, troopers say the car eventually pulled over on North 9th Street and Terrance Drive behind a gas station.
Upon approach to the car, troopers say a child was seen in the trunk of the vehicle.
Authorities explained that troopers approached the car and made contact with the driver, Charles Terry, 48, of Henryville, and the passenger, Alexis Cedeno, 34, of Stroudsburg.
Troopers say they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from Terry's breath.
PA Congressman spoke to Schuylkill County business leaders about tariffsWhen asked by the trooper why it took so long to pull their vehicle over, Terry related that he was pulling into the gas station, according to court documents.
The trooper asked Terry why his child was in the trunk of the car.
Terry responded, saying, "Because I just bought this car," and related that he didn't have enough room for his children, according to PSP.
Troopers say Terry then turned the key in the ignition, put the car in drive, and a pursuit was initiated.
Turning out of the gas station, the car was pursued by the trooper as they took a left onto Pocono Commons Drive.
The trooper stopped the pursuit due to their identification of the driver and children being inside the car at the time.
While following at a distance, the trooper says they momentarily lost sight of the car before seeing it again, slowly traveling straight on Mountaineer Drive.
Seeing the car slow down, state police say the trooper pulled behind the Mercedes with lights still activated and demanded the driver to get out of the vehicle.
Anti-gang efforts in NEPA target youthThat's when Cedeno stepped out of the driver's seat of the car, according to PSP.
Police say Cedeno told them that Terry "bailed" from the car on Mountaineer Drive.
After being read her rights, troopers say Cedeno spoke to them, explaining that they were traveling from Indiana and made stops in Pittsburgh and Ohio using Interstate 80.
Troopers noted in court documents that Interstate 80 is a "main drug corridor" used to move drugs from point A to point B.
While at the car, state police saw about eight mason jars with suspected marijuana in plain view in the back seat where a child was sitting on top of.
When troopers asked Cedeno about the jars, she denied marijuana being in the jars, saying "I just bought those at the dollar store," and explained she bought the jars in Pittsburgh in a pack of 12, according to court records.
Victim in fatal crash identified as local councilmanTroopers say they then asked for consent to search the vehicle, which Cedeno granted and was told that at any point she wanted them to stop, she would need to notify the state police on scene.
From the car, troopers say they confiscated eight mason jars containing suspected marijuana and one small potted suspected marijuana plant.
Court documents noted that when authorities were speaking to Cedeno, they smelled the odor of alcohol on her and her breath.
Due to her being a flight risk, Cedeno took a "Preliminary Breath Test", which indicated an alcohol presence of 0.100, according to PSP.
Cedeno told state police she did have "a couple of shots" in Indiana earlier in the evening.
According to court documents, Cedeno was arraigned Monday morning before Magisterial District Judge Phillip R. Riley.
Authorities say Cedeno's bail was posted and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 4.
Cedeno has been charged with endangering the welfare of children, driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, and other related charges.
Meanwhile, troopers say Terry is at large and has a warrant out for his arrest.