Felony Lane Gang member admits to 6 counts

NORRISTOWN >> A member of the Felony Lane Gang admitted to a number of crimes Monday in Montgomery County Court.

Brandy Jean Crews, 37, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in front of Judge Gary S. Silow to six felony charges of theft, conspiracy and related offenses, according to court documents. She was arrested in connections to the “multi-state organized crime group,” according to the criminal complaint, after a lengthy investigation into the gang.

The group of individuals associated with the gang would regularly commit thefts from cars, targeting vehicles in which women left purses unattended, according to the complaint. Then, the gang would hire others to pose as the theft victim to cash stolen or forged checks.

The group would use the farthest lane from the teller at drive-through banks to avoid being seen clearly by bank employees. The lane is sometimes referred to as the “felony lane” for that reason.

Crews was identified as one of the members of the group by investigators after a number of thefts were reported in Upper Gwynedd, Hatfield, Montgomery and Upper Merion townships. Fraudulent transactions connected to the victims of those thefts were later reported at banks across several counties.

On Feb. 26, 2016, Brandy Crews was denied when she attempted to cash a check at a Delaware County PNC branch, the complaint said. The check made out to one of the victims of theft. Crews drove off, leaving behind the stolen check, identification and bank card.

Crews was foiled again later that day when attempting to cash a check at a Plymouth Township First Niagara Bank branch, according to the complaint. The teller asked her additional security questions that Crews was unable to answer, and sped off again, abandoning another set of checks and identification.

Investigators were able to identify Crews in the surveillance footage from these banks, also using her Facebook profile and communications with other suspected members of the “Felony Lane Gang.”

Crews made an open guilty plea to the felonies in court, and a sentencing hearing will be scheduled after a pre-sentence investigation and drug, alcohol and mental health evaluation can be completed, as ordered by Silow. According to court documents, Crews will also be required to testify against fellow alleged members of the gang.