News

Actions

Felony Lane Gang out of Florida reportedly stole purses from cars in Leawood

Posted at 6:59 PM, Jun 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-23 19:59:26-04

Police think a far-reaching gang network targeted Leawood City Park last weekend. 

The "Felony Lane Gang" out of Florida has targeted Kansas City before, and recent car burglaries fit their M.O.

Two women's cars were broken into outside the Leawood Pool on June 17. The suspects, seen in surveillance pictures, took their purses, which contained IDs and credit cards. They used the cards at a nearby Walmart. Their vehicle looks to be a maroon van with Florida tags. 

Photos courtesy the Felony Lane Gang Task Force

The gang usually takes credit cards and forges checks using the victim's ID. They hit up places like parks, pools, daycares, and sporting events where people might leave their purses in the car. 

Bottom line from police: don't leave your valuables in the car, even in a typically safe area like Leawood. 

41 Action News talked to several women at the park, who had either left their purses in the car or said they usually do. 

"I had left it in my car and, I don't know, I just didn't even think about it," Leah O'Connor said. 

Michelle Embry said, "I don't know, I just take my chances. I don't want to walk through the hot dog park with my big purse."

A task force has been tracking the Felony Lane Gang's crimes for the past couple years, and the group is working with local police and 400 other agencies across the country. 

The operators of the task force don't want to be identified, but say the gang is now targeting the heartland, from Chicago down through Mississippi. 

Embry said she still feels like she won't be a victim. 

"You could hide it, you could try to conceal it, but if they did break in and they got it, it's just kind of one of those things," Embry said. 

"Usually I bring my purse, my wallet and maybe sometimes put it in the glove compartment, but today I didn't," Nancy Rash said. 

Johnson County Park Police think the Felony Lane Gang is connected to another recent car burglary at Stoll Park.

If you saw anything, or know where these suspects are, call police.