Beware! Jugging Is On The Rise

Jugging, often referred to as “bank jugging,” is a type of theft where criminals target individuals who have withdrawn cash from a bank, ATM, or made purchases at high-end stores.

The perpetrators observe their victims, typically in bank parking lots or near ATMs, and follow them to another location to steal the money or valuables, either by breaking into their vehicle or through direct confrontation.

How It Occurs:

• Surveillance: Criminals, often working in teams, monitor banks, ATMs, or luxury retail locations, looking for signs of cash withdrawals, such as bank bags or visible cash. They may loiter in parking lots or use binoculars for observation.
• Targeting: Victims are chosen based on visible cues, like carrying bank envelopes or appearing distracted. Small business owners, the elderly, or those with large cash withdrawals are common targets.
• Execution: The thieves follow the victim to a secondary location, such as a store, gas station, or home, and strike when the victim is distracted or leaves valuables unattended in their vehicle. The crime can involve burglary of a vehicle or, in more violent cases, armed robbery.