Seven Alleged Members Of "Felony Lane Gang" Make Appearance In Chester County Court

WEST CHESTER, Pa (CBS) -- Seven alleged members of the "Felony Lane Gang" who were part of a high-speed car chase earlier this month made an appearance in court on Wednesday.

That chase started in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County and topped 100 miles per hour, racing along Route 202 and the Schuylkill Expressway before ending near the Belmont exit.

The preliminary hearing for the seven defendants was delayed as charges were amended and five pages were added to the criminal complaint.

Defense attorney Mark Conte is representing Jeremy Espenshade, who police say was in the passenger seat of the car that led police on the high-speed chase, and struck a patrol car. Among the dozens of charges against Espenshade: aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, though Conte says he thinks that's a stretch.

"I'm not aware of any evidence that he assisted in the driving of this vehicle in any way," Conte says, "instructed or directed the driver of the vehicle to collide with the vehicle."

Police say they found dozens of stolen documents, checks and ID cards in or around the two vehicles. Two of the suspects ran across all lanes of the Schuylkill, one of them jumped in the river in an attempt to escape.

One defendant waived her preliminary hearing, the others are scheduled to be back in two weeks.

The other preliminary hearings are scheduled for April 6.

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