‘Jugging’ crimes turn violent

Opportunist robbers are following people leaving ATMs, banks

He walked out of his Friendswood bank with the conspicuous white envelope full of $600 in cash.

As he walked, he stuffed the envelope in his back pocket, then made the short drive home.

That’s where the 70-year-old retiree became the unwitting victim of “jugging,” a crime that police departments in the Houston area say is not only increasing but can often turn violent. Luckily, he wasn’t injured.

“I was really innocent about it,” he told the Houston Chronicle recently, asking not to be named. “I made it easy for him, and I’m glad I did. It’s just money.”

The robber — who is still on the loose — was following a pattern that police say has become standard. Thieves go to a bank or ATM and watch for customers making withdrawals, then follow them to their next destination to steal the money from their vehicles.

Thieves typically steal the envelopes from unoccupied vehicles, but at times they risk a confrontation and steal directly from bank customers.

The term “jugging” came into use about six or seven years ago, police say, when perpetrators

began frequently stealing purses from the vehicles of women who had gotten out to pump gas at a service station. The women typically left their cars unlocked and were unaware of their surroundings, so the furtive move to enter the car from the passenger side — known as a “slide over” — was often successful. The street name evolved to “jugging,” but it still refers to theft from a victim who may not know a crime took place.

But in three recent Houstonarea cases, what started as “juggings” escalated to robbery and aggravated robbery. In two of those instances, the targets were elderly. In the third, the target was 22.

Jugging statistics are hard to compile because the crime can fall under theft, robbery or even aggravated robbery. However, Thomas Gilliland, senior deputy with the Harris County Sheriff ’s Office, said this type of theft is now rampant.

And Gilliland noted that jugging hasn’t isolated in one demographic, as it is an opportunity crime. He said the recent cases that escalated to robberies are irregular and alarming.

“If they think there’s money there, they will follow as long as it takes to get it,” Gilliland said. “Some are bold enough to assault.”

The elderly Friendswood resident who was robbed didn’t park in the garage or driveway once he arrived home; instead, he left his car along a median across the street, avoiding extensive repairs underway at the home damaged during Hurricane Harvey.

As he walked toward his house, a white car pulled up, and the man inside asked for directions. This block of Friendswood sits amid an often confusing web of streets, so the elderly resident didn’t find therequest strange or suspicious.

He walked up to the car, the white envelope sticking several inches out of his pocket, and leaned into the rolled-down window to offer assistance.

‘Quick as a snake’

And in an instant, the man in the vehicle snatched the white envelope.

“Get back, or I’ll shoot you,” the robber shouted, making a gun-like gesture with his thumb and index finger, before speeding off.

The senior was robbed of $600.

“He was quick as a snake,” the victim said.

Two suspects followed an elderly married couple on May 21 from a Wells Fargo to their nearby cottage at the Village on the Park senior living community near Cypress. The burglars tailgated the couple through the complex’s one-way gate. One of the suspects followed the man, 86, and woman, 87, through their front door uninvited and proceeded to assault the man. The suspect stole cash and the wife’s wallet from the man’s front pocket. The man did not sustain significant injuries.

The couple declined to comment.

Village on the Park offers security measures including video surveillance, 24-hour staff, and locked building and hallway doors at night that require a key fob for entry. Yet two robbers were still able to enter the community and the residents’ cottage. Many Harris County senior living communities are gated and include similar security features but don’t prevent tailgating into the property.

John Googer, executive director of Village on the Park, said security may be added in the wake of this incident.

"We are constantly seeking opportunities to improve community safety for our residents, their loved ones and our staff," Googer said. "I will be discussing opportunities with HCSO."

Undercover efforts

“Jugging” has concerned law enforcement officials for years, but now it will be even more of a priority at HCSO if victims are targeted for their age or vulnerability, Gilliland said.

The sheriff ’s office is working to combat this crime through undercover investigations, such as one conducted May 30 that busted a three-man “jugging” sting at a bank. The office also releases public service announcements to notify and educate bank and ATM customers on “jugging.” In the future, Gilliland said the sheriff ’s office may partner with banks to inform customers of this danger.

In the couple at Village on the Park’s case, two suspects were arrested June 6 and charged with aggravated robbery of a person over 65 and credit card abuse, after attempting to make fraudulent transactions with the stolen credit cards at a Walmart.

The man who robbed the Friendswood senior in still on the loose, and the three suspects who robbed and assaulted a 22year-old woman on June 5 have not yet been found. One has been identified as Cameron Andrew Deal.

Anyone leaving a bank or ATM should refrain from showing they are carrying money or leaving the money inside their cars, Gilliland said. Customers should be aware of their surroundings and call 911 if they suspect they are being followed.

“They follow, prey and watch,” Gilliland said. “Your car’s not a safe. You should take [money] with you.”

Maj. Chad Norvell, commander of criminal law in the Enforcement Bureau of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, said the office is working to prevent these robberies using crime analysts.

“We conduct regular operations based on crime analysis of locations, days and times of occurrence,” Norvell said.

Although the Friendswood man lost hundreds of dollars, he said he’s just thankful to be alive.

“The mistake I made was the white envelope was stuck in my back pocket,” he said.