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'Felony Lane Gang' Members Wanted For Stealing Purses From Cars In Oakland County [VIDEO]

INDEPENDENCE TWP. (WWJ) - Oakland County authorities are looking for help to identify alleged gang members wanted for stealing purses out of vehicles.

According to sheriff's officials, the latest victim, last Friday evening, took her child into the Learning Experience Daycare center in the 7000-block of Sashabaw Rd. in Independence Township. When she returned to her car — no more than ten minutes later — the window was broken and the woman's purse was gone.

The purse was thrown away at Kensington Metro Park along with several other handbags that had been stolen elsewhere in Oakland County and throughout metro Detroit, according to sheriff's officials. Investigators believe it's all the work of members of a group called the "Felony Lane Gang."

Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the gang earned their moniker because they always use the outside lane of the bank drive-thru, furthest from the teller window, to cash those stolen checks -- sometimes wearing disguises to match the people they're impersonating.

Investigators released surveillance video in which they say the robbers are seen using a "spring loaded punch" device to shatter the vehicle's window.

The suspect, who was a passenger in another car that pulled up beside the woman's vehicle, is described only as a black male in his mid-to-late 20s to early 30s. There is no description available for the driver who was at the wheel of a silver 2015 or 2016 silver Hyundai Elantra.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Oakland County Sheriff's Office tip line at 1-888-TURN-1-IN.

Meantime, authorities want to remind local residents to avoid leaving valuables in plain sight inside your car, even if it's locked.

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