'Roaming Gang of Transient Thieves' Target Area Cars, Police Say

Local police believe a “roaming gang of transient thieves” from South Florida is targeting area fitness centers, day cares and parks to steal valuables from parked cars.

According to information from Newtown Township Police Department, there has been an influx of thefts from cars in “targeted locations” that mimic the activity of a group known as the Felony Lane Gang.

According to police, the Felony Lane Gang travels up and down the I-95 corridor, targeting vehicles parked at day cares, fitness centers, parks or other places where it’s likely mothers have left their purse or wallet in the car.

Police say multiple members of the gang will come to a parking lot and break into several vehicles simultaneously. They will disappear “in under a minute,” according to a press release from Newtown Township police.

“Typically they break the window with a center punch or similar tool and quickly steal the wallet, purse or diaper bag to get your identification, credit cards, bank checks and cash. The thieves do not physically enter the vehicle; all access is through the broken window,” the press release from Newtown Township Police said.

Once they take the items, they switch identifications and bank checks among a group of women who actually alter their appearance with wigs and sunglasses to resemble the victim pictured, police say. They then go to another victim’s bank to cash the checks.

“The thieves use rented cars, often switching license plates from another rented car and use the outer lane of the drive through, commonly known as the ‘felony lane’,” police said.

“You are urged to be mindful of your valuables and it is recommended to keep them out of sight; even if you will just be away from the car for a minute,” the police press release said.