Police: Thieves Targeted Parking Lots Where Hudson Valley Women Gather
The Town of Poughkeepsie police announced the arrest of three suspected members of the Florida-based "Felony Lane Gang" after they attempted to steal money from the Barnegat Road branch of the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union (HVFCU) on Dec. 20.
On Wednesday afternoon, HVFCU notified the police to report that three subjects in a vehicle at the drive-up were attempting to withdraw money from the bank using stolen banking documents that had been taken from a car on Wilbur Boulevard in the City of Poughkeepsie on Dec. 16.
The vehicle description was broadcast to police patrols and the vehicle was spotted by officers a short while later traveling south on Route 9. The suspects attempted to elude officers until their vehicle became disabled at which time they fled on foot, police said. After a short chase, the suspects were taken into custody.
According to the police, the three are suspected to be members or associates of the gang of about one hundred people that roam the country targeting areas that women frequent such as gyms and other establishments.
They allegedly locate vehicles with purses or pocketbooks in them. Once identified they break the car window and steal the bag. Using the stolen banking information and driver's license they attempt to withdraw money from the victim's bank while wearing wigs and other disguises.
Briante' Kelvon Wood, 26, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. has been charged with felonies of Identity Theft in the First Degree and Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree.
Jennifer Renea Wright, 34, also from Fort Lauderdale, FL has been charged with three felonies: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, identity theft in the first degree, and attempted grand larceny in the third degree.
Danielle M. Alfieri, 31, of Kenworth, NJ has been charged with a felony count of attempted grand larceny in the third degree.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending from police agencies in both Dutchess and Orange counties. Police are urging that anyone with information regarding this most recent incident to call 845-485-3670.