Janesville police are issuing an alert warning residents about a “felony lane gang” theft operation. Police say at least two Rock County residents fell victim to thieves last month. Investigators say the thieves are believed to have broken into cars and stolen checks that were cashed by a woman driving what is likely a rental car. These so-called felony lane gang operations have occurred throughout the country for many years with the most recent reported in the Janesville area last summer. Felony lane gang smash-and-grabs often target women who leave purses or wallets in their cars. Checks from victims in Janesville and Beloit were cashed in Darien, Walworth, and Rockton and Roscoe.
