Arrests made in connection with YMCA car break-ins

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said on Friday that two arrests have been made in connection with multiple “smash and grab” vehicle break-ins outside the YMCA on Jan. 31.

Two women from Florida, identified as Alexa Brea Mason, 21, and a 17-year-old juvenile, were arrested by Granite City police following a pursuit. The women apparently tried to use a stolen drivers license belonging to a Monroe County resident who was a victim of the YMCA incident.

Charges are being pursued in Monroe County Circuit Court for possession of stolen property, police said.

There is an ongoing investigation into four black males who were believed to have been associated with the car break-ins.

The windows of five vehicles parked outside the YMCA were broken on Jan. 31, with purses and other items reported stolen out of four of the cars. A fifth car had one of its windows partially broken, but no entry was gained.

Police believe these men will break into the vehicles and steal purses, wallets, drivers licenses, debit cards and checkbooks, then meet the females at a different location and pass the stolen property to them.

This group is being referred to as the “Felony Lane Gang,” which has been in operation for several years. Once they obtain valuables as drivers licenses or debit cards, one of the members of the gang disguises as that individual and attempts to cash checks and/or make purchases with the stolen credit cards.

The investigation is ongoing police said, and currently involves Maryland Heights police in Missouri along with Granite City and Monroe County authorities.

Anyone wishing to provide information on this case is asked to call 939-8651.

 

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Corey Saathoff

Corey is the editor of the Republic-Times. He has worked at the newspaper since 2004, and currently resides in Columbia. He is also the principal singer-songwriter and plays guitar in St. Louis area country-rock band The Trophy Mules.
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