LCSO: Two Florida men arrested in string of thefts across Virginia, Maryland

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) — Two Florida men linked to the “Felony Lane Gang” were arrested in connection with a string of thefts across Virginia and Maryland, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).

Police said Rickie Noel, 21, and Freddrick Holmes, 28, both of Fort Lauderdale, Fl., were arrested for their alleged involvement in the Florida-based “Felony Lane Gang.” Noel was arrested in Florida on May 2, while Holmes was arrested in Wisconsin on May 26.

As part of this notorious group, members travel across the country stealing identities and checkbooks from unattended cars before cashing fraudulent checks at bank drive-throughs, according to officials.

It all started on March 6, when a fraudulent check was cashed at a bank in Sterling using stolen identification, according to LCSO. Then, on April 19, three vehicles were broken into at a farm in Leesburg, in which various items were reported stolen.

Through the investigation, in which Loudoun County sheriff’s deputies examined surveillance footage, reviewed vehicle records, subpoenaed phone records, and examined license plate reader data across several states, the sheriff’s office was able to link the stolen check to similar crimes in Hanover and Prince William counties, along with other thefts across the Commonwealth and in Maryland.

The sheriff’s office said investigators were also able to connect the Leesburg break-in to other similar crimes in the area, leading them to Noel and Holmes.

“These arrests represent the culmination of months of diligent work by our deputies, including the effective use of technology and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies,” said Sheriff Mike Chapman. “The suspects in this case preyed on Loudoun County residents going about their daily lives, and their arrests should serve as a clear message that we will pursue criminals no matter how far they run to escape justice.”

The LCSO urges people to be vigilant about where they park and what valuables they leave inside their car as the investigation continues.

“One technique of these criminals is to target vehicles at parks, gyms, and daycare centers, breaking in to steal purses and personal identity documents, then using accomplices wearing disguises to cash fraudulent checks from victims’ accounts,” the sheriff’s office said upon announcing the arrests.

Authorities charged Noel with three counts of credit card theft, one count of grand larceny, one count of obtaining money by false pretense, one count of forging and uttering, and one count of felony identity theft, along with multiple other misdemeanor charges.

Holmes was charged with eight counts of credit card theft, one count of grand larceny, two counts of forging and uttering, one count of felony identity theft, and one count of obtaining money by false pretense.

Both suspects are being held without bond in Loudoun County.