A top member of a notorious Florida-based gang called “Felony Lane Gang” has been captured, arrested and charged after being found traveling throughout the country using stolen identities to commit financial fraud.
North Syracuse police found Janel M. Cavallero, 45, in New York and charged her with “stealing approximately $19,780 from various Empower FCU branches in Onondaga County, according to New York State Police. The Maine native was arraigned on Feb. 17 and has since been released on her recognizance under New York State bail laws.
“Felony Lane Gang” has been in operation for years, according to a 2020 USA Today report. They are known to specifically target “moms across the country” in “parking lots where people will be away from their cars for a significant amount of time —such as gym or mall parking lots, or a park where children’s sports games are being played.”
Once the cars are left unattended for long periods of time, male members of the gang perform “smash ‘n grabs,” which entails breaking car windows and stealing purses in the car, according to police records.
The purses are then handed over to the female members of the gang, who will steal any cash, credit cards or checks found. The women “often wear wigs while sitting in the farthest drive-thru lane to avoid detection – which is where the Felony Lane Gang gets its name from,” police say.
Cavallero has been charged with the following:
- (1) count of Grand Larceny 3rd degree, class “D” felony
- (3) counts of Forgery 2nd degree, class “D” felony
- (9) counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree, class “D” felony
- (8) counts of Identity Theft 1st degree, class “D” felony
- (3) counts of Identity Theft 2nd degree, class “E” felony
- (8) counts of Falsifying business records 1st degree, class “E” felony
- (11) counts of Unlawful Possession of Personal ID 3rd degree, class “A” misdemeanor
- (11) counts of Criminal Impersonation 2nd degree, class “A” misdemeanor
- (11) counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th degree, class “A” misdemeanor
- (1) count of Conspiracy 5th degree, class “A” misdemeanor
- (1) count of Scheme to Defraud 1st degree, class “E” felony
She is due back in court at a later date.
