Police warn about large-scale vehicle burglary crew

The Naperville Police Department and Naperville Park District would like to make citizens aware of a large scale, organized, vehicle burglary crew that has been targeting Naperville since 2010.

This criminal group, often referred to as the Felony Lane Gang, specialize in daytime smash-and-grab vehicle burglaries.

They typically target locations where women are most likely to leave their purses or wallets in vehicles including fitness facilities, parks, and daycare centers.

After the purses and wallets have been stolen, the Felony Lane Gang members use the victim's identification and banking information to obtain large amounts of cash.

The Naperville Police Department, in conjunction with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, are actively gathering intelligence on the Felony Lane Gang.

We have learned through this information sharing that the members of Felony Lane Gang are recruited in Florida and consist of both male and female members. A majority of the male members are African-American, described as having long dreadlocks with gold teeth, or beards and gold teeth. The male members commit the smash and grab burglaries. They approach the victim vehicles in a rental vehicle obtained in Florida, smash the vehicle window, and steal a purse or wallet almost always in plain view. In most cases, several vehicles are targeted at once and the crimes are committed in seconds.

The male members then supply the female members, a majority of which are Caucasian, with the victim's identification and checkbook to write fraudulent checks.

Since August 2010, there have been over 60 reported motor vehicle burglaries in Naperville that appear to be committed by the Felony Lane Gang. The monetary loss is in excess of $100,000.

Although over 100 members of the Felony Lane Gang have been identified and several arrests have been made, there are still several active members. The city of Naperville was victimized as recently as Sept. 21.

We are asking for the public's help in preventing this type of crime in the future. Under no circumstance should you leave your purse or wallet in the passenger compartment of your vehicle unattended. If you are only going to be out of your vehicle for a short time please take your purse or wallet with you. The only way to be assured that you won't be victimized by this crew is to eliminate the opportunity. If you see any suspicious vehicles or subjects in fitness centers, parks, daycare facilities, or churches please contact the police immediately.