Do you frequent the gym? Do you drop off your children at a daycare? Do you take a walk in the park on a nice day? 

If so, this is important information to protect you. Criminal enterprises take advantage of these types of locations because people frequently leave their wallet or purse inside their vehicle.  Commonly referred to as the “Felony Lane Gang”, this group, based in Fort Lauderdale Florida, will travel the east coast stealing identities and checkbooks from unattended vehicles.  They don’t hesitate to smash the window glass to obtain entry to your vehicle either.

We suggest that you secure your valuables in your trunk prior to arriving at your destination. If possible don’t bring these items with you at all, just keep your drivers license and maybe a credit card in the case of an emergency. If you take your valuables into the gym, be sure to LOCK them inside a locker. We also suggest always keeping your car keys on your person. We had one of these cases over the summer and we made an arrest of a woman using a stolen identity at a Bedminster Township bank in a rental car using the "Felony Lane."  While there is no specific activity in our Township at this time, a few jurisdictions in Bucks and Montgomery County have experienced this type of criminal activity recently. 

The attached news story is a few years old but provides good information to put criminal activity into perspective.  If you have any questions about keeping your valuables and identity safe, please don’t hesitate to contact Officer Jim Browne via email at jbrowne@bedminsterpd.com or by phone at 215-795-2972.