U.S. Marshals Arrest International Murder Fugitive in Reading, PA

Philadelphia, PA – Members of the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force arrested Felix Aldencis Peguero Mendez, 61, for homicide and related charges, at approximately 3:30 p.m. on February 13th in the 600 block of East Lancaster Avenue in Reading Pennsylvania. Peguero Mendez was wanted in the Dominican Republic for homicide since February 15, 2012. It is alleged that he shot his wife 6-8 times resulting in her death. A Foreign Fugitive warrant was issued in the United States in February 2013, and Peguero Mendez had been on the run up and down the Northeast United States.

Early on February 13, 2020, U.S. Marshals from Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania developed information suggesting Peguero Mendez was currently hiding in Reading, PA. Investigation determined he was in an unknown associates home in the 600 block of East Lancaster Avenue. Members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force searched the residence and Peguero Mendez was located and arrested without incident. Peguero Mendez is currently being housed in federal custody pending an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge where he will formally be charged as a foreign fugitive facing extradition back to the Dominican Republic.

Eric Gartner, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said "patience, persistence, and unfettered collaboration between our partner agencies has once again proven to be an unbeatable combination. Special thanks to our Task Force partners with the Berks County Sheriff's Office, Pennsylvania State Police, New Jersey State Police, and Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole in concluding this long-term effort with the safe apprehension of this dangerous fugitive."

The Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force is a team of law enforcement officers led by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent crime fugitives.