Local mother warns of ‘Felony Lane Gang’

Thieves victimize mothers at day cares, gyms, authorities say.

Authorities say a Bellbrook woman fell victim to a crime ring targeting busy parents across the country.

Authorities WASHINGTON TWP. — say a Bellbrook woman fell victim to a gang targeting mothers across the country.

The so-called “Felony Lane Gang” has been connected to crimes nationwide, preying on unsuspecting parents.

Stephanie Griffin was one of several parents whose purse was stolen out of her car in Washington Twp.

Griffin said she ran into the gym to pick up her daughter from a tumbling class, leaving her purse in the car. When she came out, the purse had been stolen.

Griffin canceled her credit cards immediately, but it was too late.

“We just happened to check our accounts, and there were four withdrawals from four separate banks for over $2,000 each,”

Griffin said.

According to police, the gang scopes out busy places women frequent such as day cares, gyms and parking lots.

Gang members will then break into cars and steal purses, obtaining personal information from IDs and credit cards to withdraw money from the bank.

The bank transactions usually happen in the drivethrough lane furthest from the teller, referred to as the “felony lane.”

Some gang members will even wear wigs to further disguise themselves.

Griffin wants others to be aware so they don’t become targets.

“They just swoop in and within minutes, they have it down to a science,” she said.