What was alleged to be a routine ATM cease changed into a near-tragedy for one Houston man.
The person had withdrawn money from an ATM and made the brief 5.5-mile drive house, unaware he was being tailed. Not by one automotive. However two.
Safety footage from the household’s house captured the chilling second. The person had simply stepped inside when two autos pulled up, one proper into the driveway. One suspect served as a lookout whereas one other smashed the passenger window of his automotive, presumably searching for money, which the person had already taken inside.
“They might’ve took his life over $200,” stated a girl talking on behalf of her son-in-law, who was focused outdoors a Financial institution of America department on Houston’s south aspect on Could 5. For security causes, she requested to not be recognized when she spoke to KHOU.
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‘Financial institution jugging’ on the rise
When the girl shared the footage and story on-line, the response was fast. Dozens of Houstonians reported comparable experiences, some even saying they had been focused after utilizing the identical financial institution department.
“They left empty-handed,” the girl stated. “He was annoyed about it, however I imply, a window might be changed. Even the cash could possibly be changed. His life — it could actually’t get replaced.”
The crime is named “jugging,” a rising concern in Texas the place thieves stalk victims from banks or ATMs.
The time period “jugging” refers back to the act of “juggling” money. These are the steps the criminals take:
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Surveillance: Criminals watch financial institution or ATM places, searching for people withdrawing substantial quantities of money.
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Concentrating on: As soon as a possible sufferer is recognized, the perpetrators discreetly comply with them, typically utilizing a number of autos.
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Theft: At a later location, just like the sufferer’s house or a car parking zone, the criminals rob the person of their money.
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What lawmakers are doing
Home Invoice 1902, signed into regulation lately, formally creates the legal offense of jugging underneath Part 29.04 of the Texas Penal Code. It makes jugging a state felony and takes impact Sept. 1, 2025.
Beforehand, suspects might solely be charged with housebreaking or theft. Now, jugging is its personal crime and may carry steeper penalties if the offense escalates.
“There are steps that banks themselves can do to assist defend their prospects,” stated Nichole Christoff with Houston Crime Stoppers. “And the primary is by having good surveillance cameras inside and out of doors of the financial institution to seize folks’s comings and goings and probably spot suspicious conduct — and in addition be good proof.”
Learn how to defend your self from jugging
To cut back the danger of falling sufferer to financial institution jugging, listed below are some vital security ideas that :
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Be discreet: Put your money away instantly after withdrawal. Don’t rely your cash in public or depart it seen in your automotive.
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Keep alert: Pay attention to your environment, particularly if one thing appears uncommon as you enter or depart the financial institution.
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Differ your routine: Change the instances and places of your banking transactions so that you just don’t have a predictable routine.
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Use drive-through providers: Select drive-through ATMs or financial institution tellers when potential to reduce your publicity.
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Safe your automotive: Lock your doorways and hold valuables out of sight when leaving your automobile.
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Report suspicious exercise: For those who discover anybody performing suspiciously close to your financial institution or following you, report it to the authorities instantly.
The household hopes their horrifying expertise might be a wake-up name for others to remain vigilant when withdrawing money.
What to learn subsequent
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This text offers info solely and shouldn’t be construed as recommendation. It’s supplied with out guarantee of any form.
