'Felony Lane Gang' Back In Plainfield?

PLAINFIELD, IL — A Florida-based group of car burglars known as the "Felony Lane Gang" are reportedly back in the Chicago area, targeting victims in Plainfield, Naperville and other suburbs. Plainfield police arrested an 18-year-old Florida man on burglary charges on Monday, and Naperville police reported more than 20 vehicle break-ins over the weekend. One Plainfield car break-in happened during broad daylight at the C.W. Avery YMCA.

A Plainfield mom told WGN she was leaving the YMCA Monday morning when she saw that the window of her SUV was smashed and spotted a suspicious-looking man walking away. She said she yelled to the man and he ran, taking off in a red Mustang.

"He jumped in his car and pulled off," she said, noting that the man took a diaper bag from the front seat of her SUV, likely thinking it was her purse. Plainfield police pursued the Mustang and arrested two Florida men, according to WGN.

Plainfield police did not return a call from Patch about the incident, but jail records show they arrested 18-year-old Allen Lamar Stafford of Dania Beach, Florida, on Monday on charges of burglary and possession of burglary tools.

Naperville police provided a map of more than 20 recent car burglaries and warned residents to lock their car doors.

It's not the first time the so-called Felony Lane Gang has been active in the Chicago suburbs. Several Florida-based car burglary suspects have been arrested in the area in recent years. Police said the group specializes in daytime smash-and-grab burglaries, targeting women at fitness centers, daycares and parks.

Photo: Allen Lamar Stafford/Will County Sheriff's Office