Woman Arrested in Weymouth in 'Felony Lane Gang' Case Ordered Held on Bail

Image Credit: Sharon Police Department

WEYMOUTH, MA - A woman accused of trying to pass a fake check at a bank in Weymouth was ordered held on bail Monday.

Christine Cosentino, 45, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla, pleaded not guilty to charged with check forgery, uttering a false check, attempting to commit a crime, two counts of receiving stolen property under $250 and identity fraud. She was arraigned in Quincy District Court and ordered held on $15,000 bail, according to the Norfolk County District Attorney's office. If she makes bail, she must stay away and have no contact with the victims and witness and stay away from all Rockland Trust Banks.

Police say that Cosentino wore heavy makeup and a wig Friday, according to WCVB. She allegedly has identification cards or checks from three different people.

Friday, Cosentino was taken into custody by police at Rockland Trust Bank in Weymouth. She faces similar charges in Sharon.

Cosentino is believed to be connected to the Felony Lane Gang. The gang is a loose conglomerate of people in hopeless situations, recruited by ranking members who mastermind the schemes and reap the profits. So far they have netted more than $1 million from victims up and down the East Coast.

"Smash-and-grab" car break-ins are their modus operandi; they pull up next to a car, either open an unlocked door or break a window, grab all valuables in plain sight, and then they're gone.

The thieves then use the stolen credit cards, driver's licenses, checks and bank information to withdraw as much as possible. They go to great lengths to blend in while carrying out their scams, sometimes renting a car, buying nice clothes and wearing a wig in an effort to look more like the person in the driver's license picture.

When at the bank they frequently use the lane furthest from the building in order to remain invisible to tellers and security cameras, a practice that earned them the name "Felony Lane Gang."

Alex Newman contributed to this report.