Theft Ring Targets Mothers at Day Cares

Thieves steal purses left in cars at day cares

McKinney police say a Florida-based group of thieves that targets working mothers may be operating in North Texas.

Police said they know of at least two recent cases in which women's purses were stolen from their cars at day cares.

The women left their cars running while they ran in to pick up their children.

Police said the so-called Felony Lane Gang steals purses in day care parking lots and then uses the stolen identities to cash checks.

Investigators have dubbed the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based group the Felony Lane Gang because they cash fraudulent checks in the far lane of the bank's drive-thru, making it difficult for tellers to identify them.

Police released a photo that shows two people believed to be members of the theft ring at what appears to be a convenience store.

According to reports, the Felony Lane Gang has as many as 100 members and has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars nationwide.

Police said women should never leave their purses in their car and should never leave their vehicle running, even if it is cold out and they will only be away for a minute.

NBC 5's Ellen Goldberg contributed to this report.

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