Two women were identified when they attempted to cash a stolen check.TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) – A group of Florida
identity thieves has made their way to Ohio and is stealing from women in
several cities as part of a crime spree.
The group, known as the Felony Lane Gang, has been known
to break into vehicles and steal women's identities by stealing credit cards,
identification and checks. Police said the gang is made up of professional
thieves.
"They are professionals at getting into cars, and they
can into even an unlocked vehicle in just a matter of seconds," said Toledo
Police Sergeant Joe Hefferman. "This particular group has a system down. They've
been doing it for a long time, and they've been getting a lot of money doing
it."
With stolen cards and checks, the women recruit a local
that looks like the victim and sends them through the fast lane at the bank
with a check to withdraw the money.
"They call it the Felony Lane Gang because a lot of times
they'll go in that last lane at the bank drive-through…because it's the
furthest away from the teller," Hefferman said. "A lot of times it's hard for
the teller to make a positive ID."
Police arrested two women connected to the gang when they
tried to cash a check stolen from a Perrysburg woman last month. The woman
notified the Huntington Bank branch on Heatherdowns that she had been a victim
and a teller recognized the thieves immediately. Police do not know at this
time how many other people may be involved in the crime ring.
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