Police in Athens are seeking charges against a Florida woman they say stole nearly $22,000 after taking credit cards and other items during a recent car break-in.
Investigators believe Emma Patrice McIlwain, 28, is part of a large gang that authorities have dubbed the “Felony Lane Gang.” The name comes from “the location they prefer to commit fraudulent transactions — a bank’s drive-thru lane farthest from the teller,” according to Athens-Clarke County police.
McIlwain is accused of using stolen documents, credit cards and checks to withdraw the cash from banks in Winder, Watkinsville and Athens on Oct. 25. The items were stolen from a victim’s car parked in Athens’ Ben Burton Park on Sept. 19.
Detective Nathaniel Franco, the lead investigator in the case, does not think she acted alone. In another related incident, a Felony Lane Gang member used identity documents stolen from a parked car in Southeast Clarke Park on Sept. 17, according to Franco. Those documents were later used in fraudulent transactions in Charleston, South Carolina.
Felony Lane Gangs have targeted Athens several times over the past year, Franco said. They often break into vehicles at parks, day cares, gyms and other public places where purses or wallets are left behind.
“These gangs operate in broad daylight and wait for individuals to leave their vehicle to pick up children, take a walk or workout,” he said in a statement. “It is important to always remove valuable items from your vehicle. If you are a victim, you should contact the ACCPD but also remember to reach out to your bank and credit card companies, as well as keep a close eye on your accounts to prevent fraudulent transactions.”
McIlwain was arrested in Butte, Montana, in November and was reportedly found with identity information and forged checks in cases unrelated to the Georgia crimes. With the help of investigators in Butte and the FBI, she was identified as a suspect in the Athens incidents.
Athens-Clarke County police obtained 15 arrest warrants for McIlwain on charges of identity fraud, first-degree forgery, felony theft by deception, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception, financial transaction card theft and theft by receiving stolen property.
She has not been booked into the Clarke County Jail.
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