Local News

Women warned about leaving purses in cars

Highlands Today
Published: October 2, 2012

SEBRING - The Highlands County Sheriff's Office is warning women not to be leave their purses in their cars, in response to a rise in car burglaries recently, especially at gyms and health clubs.

Sheriff's office spokeswoman Nell Hays said in a news release that the burglaries may be tied to an organized crime ring from South Florida called the "Felony Lane Gang."

"This gang's specialty is car burglaries especially concentrating on places where females typically leave their purses in vehicles," she said. "Gyms, churches, parks and day cares are common places where ladies will leave their purse in the car either because they don't expect to be gone but for a moment or they feel they are in safe environments."

The thieves break into the vehicle and take checkbooks and wallets, so they have identification that matches up to the checks they have stolen.

Then they use prostitutes and homeless people to don disguises to look like the victims, Hays added.

They cash the checks at the victims' bank and use the "Felony Lane" or the farthest drive-through lane at the bank since it's the hardest for tellers to identify people.

Authorities are asking women to not leave their purses in the car.

"Please secure your purse in the trunk at least, but if possible take your purse in with you, even if you only expect to be gone for a moment," Hays said.

"We would also like to encourage managers of health clubs, gyms and day cares to be watchful of any suspicious people in or near your parking areas."

Those who suspect anything suspicious are asked to call their local law enforcement officials.