Police Warn Residents Of Car Break-Ins In Rockland
ORANGETOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Rockland County are investigating a series of car break-ins that bear similarities to the work of a nationwide criminal organization.
Thieves have been targeting the parking lots of gyms and parks, smashing car windows and grabbing purses or wallets left in plain sight in the vehicle, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.
Orangetown police said two cars were recently hit at Veterans Memorial Park and another near a gym in Pearl River.
Clarkstown police said five cars were broken into Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of the Nanuet Little League.
There are concerns these incidents could be the work of the South Florida-based "Felony Lane Gang," which reportedly has more than 800 members and roams the country in rented cars, casing parking lots.
"We've always had those problems throughout the region where somebody will open the door and take the property out, but this is unusual in that they're breaking a window and taking the property. So it's possible it's attributable to this group," Orangetown Police Capt. Donald Butterworth told WCBS 880. "We're not 100 percent sure it's them, but we have concerns that it could involve them and that's why we want to get the message out to the people."
Drivers are urged to lock their vehicles and make sure any personal items in the vehicle are not left out in the open.