What is it? How do you prevent it?
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a burglary scam involving people who take noticeably large cash deposits from a bank.
It’s calling “jugging” or “bank jugging”, and deputies made an arrest in a recent case of it.
Daniel Alejandro Campuzano-Moreno, 28 and Jose Pena-Silva, 36, have been arrested and charged with Burglary to a Conveyance and Criminal Mischief in connection with a car break-in and theft at the Crosslands shopping center in Kissimmee on March 28. According to investigators, witnesses said Campuzano-Moreno exited the burglarized vehicle via the shattered window and entered a waiting black Hyundai, which then left the area. Sheriff’s Office detectives found the suspect vehicle traveling west on Osceola Parkway, and discreetly followed it until it parked at a Bank of America in Windermere in Orange County. The suspects were arrested there.
Detectives say the victim was targeted after leaving a bank or ATM from the bank after making a large cash withdrawal. When suspects do this, it is referred to as “bank jugging” or “jugging”.
A jugging incident, usually involves criminals observe bank customers who make a large withdrawal, follow them to their next destination and attempt to steal cash when the victim is distracted or leaves their vehicle with the money inside.
“While this incident was isolated to the areas listed, Bank Jugging remains a trend across the country,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
In South Florida, law enforcement has made security around some banks a priority as “juggers” — rhymes with “muggers” — have resorted to stealing money from victims by force, rather than merely breaking into their vehicles, after a number of Miami-area cases.
Law enforcement offers this tips to avoid becoming a jugging victim:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to people and vehicles around you, especially in and around bank parking lots.
- Conceal your cash. Don’t only carry cash envelopes; secure it in a pocket, bag, backpack or something secure out of sight.
- Avoid distractions. Don’t use your phone or wear earbuds while in or around the bank and be mindful of your surroundings.
- If you suspect you are being followed, drive to a safe location and call Law Enforcement.
- NEVER LEAVE CASH inside a parked vehicle.
