The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office has indicted four people in connection to a nationwide crime ring called the Felony Lane Gang who are accused in a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries across our region. The group originates in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“It’s very brazen. They had no shame. They go out wherever they can,” Rosemary Taddeo said.
The thefts happened between April and August of 2023. Channel 11 first told you about these crimes last year, including the smash and grabs outside St. Ferdinand Church in Cranberry. Church members are relieved about the indictment.
“You feel like this is safe haven safe place,” Taddeo said. “Very happy to hear they were caught.”
Authorities said the group would target cars outside of gyms, churches, rec centers, parks and trails in Western Pennsylvania. Communities targeted include Cranberry Township, New Castle, Uniontown, Bridgeville, Upper Saint Clair, Beaver Falls, Greensburg and Moon Township.
“It was shocking because this is the last place something like that would happen,” Taddeo said.
The AG’s office said they would smash car windows and steal valuables like purses, wallets, IDs, and credit cards. The group would then pay women to cash checks and withdraw money at banks, in some cases in Beaver, Butler and Allegheny counties or they would use the self-checkout at stores to purchase prepaid debit cards.
The AG’s office has indicted Shauquan Moore, of Butler, Theresa Imel, of Dravosburg, Amed Henderson, of Pittsburgh, and Elizabeth Madden, of Elizabeth.
“It’s a set up. They have a plan, they implement it. It’s terrible,” Taddeo said.
Authorities said the thieves used rental cars and stolen license plates during the crimes. Surveillance video, payment information and other documents at rental car locations helped them catch the thieves. So did cellphone records and GPS information inside the rental cars.
Investigators said there are 67 victims and they worked with 20 local police departments on this case.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2024 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
