Several communities and law enforcement agencies are warning about a growing nationwide crime trend known as jugging. Jugging (aka bank jugging) is a form of robbery when criminals wait for unsuspecting employees or members to leave a financial institution, ATM, or drive-thru with money.

The criminals then take the money from them. In some cases, violence is threatened, occurs, or they follow their victims to their destination and rob them at gunpoint.

Jugging or bank jugging is a crime of opportunity that is on the rise across the country. It occurs when a criminal waits for unsuspecting individuals to leave a financial institution, ATM, or drive-thru with money. The criminals often look for those walking out with cash in hand, bank envelopes, or cash bags.

Jugging or bank jugging is a crime of opportunity that is on the rise across the country. It occurs when a criminal waits for unsuspecting individuals to leave a financial institution, ATM, or drive-thru with money. The criminals often look for those walking out with cash in hand, bank envelopes, or cash bags.

Several reports suggest that the criminals will sit at a distance from the financial institution and use binoculars to watch for people leaving with large envelopes or bank bags. The criminals will then follow the unsuspecting person and wait for them to make their next stop (e.g., another business, home). When the person gets out of their car, the criminals break in and steal the money or attack the victim. In some cases, the robbery occurs on location at the financial institution – in the parking lot or nearby.

Generally, these crime trends take advantage of the behavior patterns of the potential victims – typically members or visitors. However, employees that transport cash to other branch locations, to and from ATMs, or to other businesses can also be at risk.

Vehicles involved in jugging cases typically blend in very well to everyday vehicles. Credit union staff and members should always be alert of suspicious persons and vehicles that loiter in or near the credit union parking lot and any that appear to be conducting stationary or mobile surveillance.

Read the full alert: Trustage.com

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