The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has indicted four people in connection with the Felony Lane Gang, a nationwide crime ring accused of a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries around our region. The group began in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“It’s very brazen. They had no shame. They go out wherever they can,” Rosemary Taddeo said.
The thefts took place between April and August of 2023. Last year, Channel 11 originally reported on similar crimes, including the smash-and-grab outside St. Ferdinand Church in Cranberry. The indictment brings relief to the church members.
“You feel like this is safe haven safe place,” Taddeo said. “Very happy to hear they were caught.”
According to authorities, the group planned to target cars outside gyms, churches, recreation centers, parks, and trails in western Pennsylvania. Cranberry Township, New Castle, Uniontown, Bridgeville, Upper Saint Clair, Beaver Falls, Greensburg, and Moon Township are among the municipalities under consideration.
“It was shocking because this is the last place something like that would happen,” Taddeo said.
According to the AG’s office, the thieves would smash car windows and steal goods such as purses, wallets, IDs, and credit cards. The group would then pay women to cash checks and withdraw money from banks in Beaver, Butler, and Allegheny counties, or to buy prepaid debit cards at stores using self-checkout.
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.
According to authorities, the criminals utilized leased automobiles and stolen license plates to commit the crimes. They were able to catch the burglars thanks to surveillance film, payment information, and other documents found at rental car sites. They also collected cellphone records and GPS data from rental cars.
Investigators reported 67 victims and collaborated with 20 local police units on the investigation.