A Florida woman was found with nine wigs in her hotel room, all part of scheme to dress up as victims, police said.
Brittany Ezell MAHWAH -- A Florida woman arrested Monday at a local hotel is suspected of being part of a gang behind recent car break-ins in North Jersey, police said.
Brittany L. Ezell, 24, of Fort Lauderdale Fla., was arrested after a months-long investigation into the "Felony Lane Gang," Chief James Batelli said in a press release.
The gang targets vehicles outside gyms, daycares and parks to steal personal identification and financial documents, Batelli said. The group then sends women disguised as their victims with wigs to local banks to cash checks, according to Batelli.
Batelli said the gang's name was coined because they use the farthest lane out in the bank drive-through. Using rental cars, the gang has been tied to a number of crimes across the country, according to media reports.
Detectives tracked down Ezell after she was found to match the description of a woman seen at local banks cashing victim's checks.
Police said they found nine different wigs inside the hotel room, some of which Ezell was seen wearing in different surveillance footage.
Wigs recovered by police. Ezell allegedly worked with two other Florida men who were arrested Monday in nearby Wyckoff, Batelli said.
Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal, whose office assisted in the arrests, warned North Jersey residents about the rash of break-ins.
Ezell was charged with theft and forgery. Batelli said more charges are anticipated.
An article in the Miami New Times detailed the gangs beginnings in South Florida.
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.