Investigators from the Houston Police Department’s (HPD) theft department reached out to the general public closing week to collect information and assist establish a person suspected of being concerned in a “jugging” assault on March 8 in North Houston.
According to the HPD, the person adopted some other person out of a financial institution and therefore robbed them in entrance of a comfort retailer situated in the 3500 block of Laura Koppe. Surveillance pictures of the incident depicts a masked guy, dressed in darkish clothes, leaping out of the again passenger door of a sports activities software car (SUV) and fleeing after he faced the sufferer.
This assault is the newest in a sequence of “juggings” in Houston in 2023. HPD information supplied through Sergeant Tracy Hicks signifies an build up of roughly 66% in April, from 56 circumstances in 2022 to 93 circumstances in 2023.
For those that have no idea, “jugging” is a type of crime this is fashionable in Houston the place criminals watch high-end companies or banks and watch for any individual to withdraw cash or purchase one thing of price. Once that individual leaves, they’re adopted and robbed or stolen from.
Detective Jeff Brieden, from the HPD’s theft department, believes that the rise in “jugging” crimes is because of expanding consciousness of this kind of crime and the truth that it could actually generate fast money. Previously, veteran criminals had been extra frequently related to those crimes because it calls for persistence and patience. However, the demographics of the ones committing those crimes are transferring in opposition to more youthful folks.
The selection of “jugging” incidents has greater from 715 in 2021 to about 850 in 2022, in line with Hicks’ information. Each month between January via April in 2023 has noticed an build up over the identical months in 2022.
“Juggings” can ceaselessly be avoided with an greater degree of consciousness and warning from citizens, stated Brieden. “We are seeing common denominators in these incidents,” he added.
Prospective thieves will ceaselessly power dark-tinted automobiles and the ones with transient license plates to keep away from identity, Brieden defined. Thus, citizens about to enter a financial institution must be wary and test if there are any automobiles that lead them to uneasy. Brieden additionally advised being cautious after leaving a financial institution and warding off drawing consideration to oneself through showing a cash belt, for instance. The March 8 “jugging” assault started when the sufferer left the financial institution with a coin field, which drew consideration.
In case any individual thinks that they’re being adopted after leaving a financial institution, Brieden recommends making a number of turns to double-check whether or not the auto in the back of is following them. If so, involved folks must name the police. Brieden additionally advises towards returning house if any individual is following you.
“If you are the victim of a robbery, pay attention to as many specifics about the suspect as you can,” stated Brieden.