Local police help investigate national crime ring

Local police help investigate national crime ring
Courtesy Photo
Community and staff reports

Biddeford and Saco police departments were among numerous law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation that led to the indictment of nine men allegedly involved in the national “Felony Lane Gang” scheme.

The Northern District of New York U.S Attorney’s office announced last week that nine men were charged in a 13-count indictment for their roles in a bank fraud and identity theft scheme that affected hundreds of victims.

The nine men indicted were Tyrone Parker Jr., also known as Cheese and Little Thigh, 21, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Joshua Mallory, also know as Pudge, 35, of Fort Lauderdale; Tyrone Parker, also know as Tyron Parker and Thigh, 39 of Fort Lauderdale; Randall Taylor, also known as Gucci and Guwop, 34, of Fort Lauderdale; Cedric Lynch, also known as City and C, 35, of Orlando, Florida; Terrell McDonald, also known as Ruger and Moon, age 30, of Troy, New York; Keyshawn Arnold, also known as Key, 23, Schenectady, New York; Robert Natson, also known as Big Rob, 34, of Fort Lauderdale; and Gary Grier, also known as G, 34, of Fort Lauderdale.

 

Each of the defendants is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to a written statement from the Northern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s office.

Allegedly, the nine men were involved together in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang.” Such schemes are characterized by members of the conspiracy using stolen identification from one victim to conduct fraudulent transactions using checks and credit cards stolen from another victim, according to the Northern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s office.

The mobile identity theft ring allegedly traveled across the country breaking into cars, often targeting those parked by women at locations such as health and fitness centers, daycares, outdoor recreational parks, and dog parks. After committing these alleged “smash-and-grab” vehicle thefts, members of the conspiracy allegedly stole debit cards, credit cards, check books, and photo identifications, which they later used to commit bank fraud, sometimes even years later, according to the Northern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s office.

The leaders of the scheme allegedly recruited women, whom they often referred to as “faces,” to impersonate the smash-and-grab victims in drive-through bank lanes. The check cashers allegedly recruited were almost always suffering from an addiction to a controlled substance and were provided payment at least partially in narcotics, according to the Northern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s office.

Allegedly, the nine men were collectively involved in more than 700 smash-and-grab thefts and approximately 1,000 fraudulent bank transactions in the Northern District of New York and all over the country, with losses exceeding $1.5 million.

Law enforcement agencies from New York, Maine, Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Utah, Montana and New Hampshire assisted in the investigation.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].