MATTHEWS, N.C. – Police in Matthews arrested two women suspected of working with a gang out of Florida for attempting to cash a fraudulent check last week.
According to Matthews Police, officers were notified that two female suspects attempted to fraudulently cash a check at the State Employees Credit Union on Matthews Township Parkway on Wednesday, April 18.
The bank told police that the women also attempted to get the account’s balance through the drive-thru window. After they were refused service, the suspects sped away from the bank in a silver Chevrolet Tahoe. Shortly after, officers pulled over a vehicle matching the description and were able to positively identify the occupants as the suspects from the attempted fraud.
Dusty Wheaton, 34, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to obtain money/property by false pretenses.
Alisha Mowery, 33, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and financial card theft.
Matthews Police believe the two women were working with the “Felony Lane Gang” out of Florida. Detectives said the organization commits car break-ins in an attempt to gather financial and identity information to commit fraud. They have been reported in 34 states over the past several years and have accumulated several million dollars.
Police said the group often targets vehicles driven by women that are parked at public parks, youth sporting events and day cares and target mothers in hopes that they’ll be more prone to leave their purse or wallet in their car while tending to their children.
