Elmhurst coffee shop owner charged with selling meth to undercover officer

Peter Thomas, 35, of Villa Park, was arrested this week in Elmhurst. He is the owner of Pilot Pete's Coffee and Treats, a business located at the Elmhurst Metra station. DuPage County prosecutors say he sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer on three separate occasions.

Elmhurst police, working with Chicago police, identified Thomas as a suspected source of methamphetamine sales in DuPage County. The investigation began on Aug. 31 when an undercover officer contacted Thomas. The officer arranged to purchase drugs the next day.

On Sept. 1, the officer met Thomas at a business in the 100 block of West First Street in Elmhurst. Prosecutors stated the officer bought 4.26 grams of methamphetamine for $40. The officer made two more purchases at Thomas' home in Villa Park. He bought 3.27 grams on Sept. 30 and 7.33 grams on Oct. 28.

After the final transaction on Oct. 28, Thomas drove back to the business on West First Street. Officers arrested him as he exited his vehicle. They found 29.48 grams of methamphetamine in his pants pocket.

Thomas is charged with three counts of delivery of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to deliver. He also faces misdemeanor charges for resisting a police officer and unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver. DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said drug dealers profit on the suffering of others while lining their own pockets. Elmhurst Police Chief Michael McLean thanked the officers from Elmhurst, Chicago, and Villa Park for their cooperation in building the case.

A judge denied the prosecutor's request to detain Thomas before trial. He was released with conditions that restrict him from possessing or consuming alcohol, cannabis, and controlled substances not prescribed by a doctor. He must also submit to drug testing.

Thomas is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 23.