Purses stolen from Northbrook cars

NORTHBROOK, Ill. (WLS) -- Suburban police believe that a string of vehicle robberies in the north suburbs appears to be the work of the "Felony Lane Gang," an organized crime network.

The thieves are targeting valuables inside the vehicles, such as purses and wallets, not the vehicles themselves.

"They walk down a line of parked vehicles look to see if there's anything visible, said Northbrook Police Chief Chuck Wernick. "If there is, they break out the passenger side window or driver side window."

Wood Oaks Green Park in Northbrook has been hit twice in the last three weeks and has been a popular target in years past.

"It's definitely a concern," said Sammi Shapiro, a regular at the park. "I walk around here with my mom every day and to hear that there's people busting into cars is it's not a good thing."

Northbrook police have issued an alert to drivers, asking them to take valuables with them or lock items in the trunk - even if away for just a few minutes.

"It happens very quickly," Wernick said. "These people know what they're doing. A lot of times, there's females who are in the crew and they're the ones who will go to the bank and cash the checks."

The Felony Lane Gang typically zeroes in on cars parked in school lots, daycare centers, golf courses and gyms. It's a large organization based out of Florida which travels throughout the country committing car burglaries and identity theft. They have been very active in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois.

"It makes me a little nervous quite honestly," said Patti Ross. "I never leave anything in my car I've always felt safe in the park."

Police suspect the group has also hit other suburbs recently such as Arlington Heights. Years ago, Naperville was a target.

"They may not come back to a jurisdiction for a week or two weeks. It's very difficult to put together some kind of pattern," Wernick said.