Florida Men Busted In Loudoun Linked To Felony Lane Gang Crimes In VA, MD: Sheriff
Following a months-long investigation into a string of smash-and-grab robberies and frauds in Virginia, Maryland, and other states, authorities announced the detention of two Florida men connected to the infamous coast-to-coast criminal organization known as the Felony Lane Gang.
Freddrick Holmes and Ricky Noel (left)
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Ricky Noel, 21, and Freddrick Holmes, 28, both of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were detained in Wisconsin and Florida before being returned to Virginia, where they are being held without bond.
The case started on March 6 when a fake check was cashed at a Sterling bank using stolen identification. A few weeks later, on April 19, three cars were broken into at a Leesburg farm, and the contents were taken.
According to LCSO, detectives connected the dots using license plate data from several states, cell phone subpoenas, car records, and security footage.
The evidence connected the occurrences to similar crimes in Hanover County, Prince William County, and other parts of Virginia, Maryland, and even the Midwest.
As a result, investigators detained the two men, who are thought to be members of the so-called Felony Lane Gang, a loosely organized criminal organization that travels the nation snatching checkbooks, handbags, and identification from automobiles before cashing fake checks while wearing disguises.
Sheriff Mike Chapman stated that these arrests are the result of months of hard work by his deputies. In this case, the accused preyed on people going about their normal lives in Loudoun County.
The two are charged with several offenses in Loudoun County:
Noel was accused of:
- Three counts of credit card theft;
- One count of grand larceny;
- One count of obtaining money by false pretense;
- One count of forging and uttering;
- One count of felony identity theft;
- Multiple misdemeanor offenses.
Holmes was accused of:
- Eight counts of credit card theft;
- One count of grand larceny;
- Two counts of forging and uttering;
- One count of felony identity theft;
- One count of obtaining money by false pretense.
The LCSO said that Felony Lane suspects frequently search for unattended cars at parks, gyms, and daycare facilities. Before the victims realize what has happened, they pay checks at banks using lookalike accomplices wearing wigs or disguises after stealing purses and identification documents.
Officials claim that despite being frequently called a gang, the group does not fit Virginia’s statutory definition of a gang under state law.
As LCSO looks into further potential connections around the area, the inquiry is still underway.
