Police in two western Monmouth County municipalities are investigating thefts from motor vehicles that occurred on the same day and they are attempting to determine if those thefts were committed by members of a group known as the Felony Lane Gang.
On April 28 at 4:24 p.m., Freehold Township police received a call about the occupants of a black Cadillac Escalade near baseball fields at Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road. The caller reported that the occupants of the Escalade were smashing the windows of parked cars and stealing items from the vehicles.
The occupants of the Escalade were described as four black males and the vehicle was said to have Tennessee license plates. Police were informed the Escalade was near the Georgia Road entrance to the park, according to a press release.
Police said while Officer Alex Fay was responding to the park, he spotted a vehicle that matched the description of the Escalade near the intersection of Georgia Road and Route 524 (Elton-Adelphia Road).
Fay attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop of the Escalade, but the driver did not stop and headed west on Route 524 with the officer in pursuit. The Escalade eventually turned on to Route 537 westbound off Route 524, traveling at a high rate of speed.
Police said for public safety reasons, Fay stopped pursuing the Escalade near Thompson Grove Road and Route 537. There were no accidents or injuries reported during the brief pursuit.
When officers responded to Michael J. Tighe Park, they identified four vehicles that had been burglarized. Surrounding towns were notified and it was learned that Wall Township and Howell had similar incidents on the same day. In those other towns, the vehicle description was the same.
Freehold Township police said the occupants of the Escalade targeted vehicles in which property had been left in plain sight. Entry was gained by smashing a window on each vehicle. The thefts are being investigated by Detective James Burdge and Officer Michael Ventriglio.
Howell Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said burglaries from vehicles occurred between 2-4 p.m. April 28. Antunez reported four incidents.
“Three were at the Little League South/Deerwood Park complex on Lakewood-Allenwood Road and one was at Gold’s Gym on Route 9. All were conducted in the same fashion – a smashed window and stolen handbags and purses. The suspect vehicle, a black Cadillac Escalade seen at Gold’s Gym, appears to be the same vehicle that was used in Freehold Township,” Antunez said.
Authorities said the incidents appear to be consistent with criminal activity associated with a group known as the Felony Lane Gang. Authorities said gang members operate in places frequented by women, such as gyms, parks and children’s sporting events. The perpetrators look for a purse or a wallet that has been left in a vehicle, smash a window and steal the item.
In some instances if the perpetrators attempt to cash a stolen check at a bank, a perpetrator may use a victim’s identification and/or wear a wig to more closely resemble a victim. Authorities said the term “felony lane” comes from the perpetrators using the drive-up lane that is the farthest away from a bank.
Police in Wall Township reported that similar thefts from vehicles also occurred in that community on April 28. Wall Township shares a border with Howell. Police said the incidents in that community remain under investigation.