HPD looks to address rise in jugging incidents: 'The workload for us and even our detectives is a lot more during the holiday season'

The Christmas holiday shopping season is underway, with many people making stops at ATMs to make withdrawals. 

Authorities have urged the public to carefully watch their surroundings as the crime of “jugging” is on the rise, according to a report from Houston NBC affiliate KPRC. 

Jugging is when an individual eyes someone at a bank, follows them home and then robs them.

Per KPRC, the Houston Police Department (HPD) said that the number of jugging incidents this year have exceeded those that occurred last year. 

“We are seeing 20%, some months up to 40% of an increase of the number of juggings,” Sergeant Tracy Hicks with the department’s Auto Theft Crime Task Force told the station. “The workload for us and even our detectives is a lot more during the holiday season.”

Vicki Carr was close to ending up becoming a jugging victim if it weren’t for law enforcement, KPRC reported. 

Carr explained to the station how her age and physical stature make her a desirable target for criminals. 

“She is 5 foot tall, weighs maybe 100 pounds, and she is our next good victim because she wears jewelry and drives a big car,” she said, according to KPRC. 

The officers who tailed the would-be robbers did so as part of a sting operation, which successfully nabbed the latter before any harm could be inflicted on Carr, the station reported.

Jugging isn’t just exclusive to Houston city proper. 

The City of Bellaire’s website offers tips for residents to avoid falling victim to the crime. 

Among the things people can do to deter criminals, include, but aren’t limited to hiding bank deposit bags, coin boxes or envelopes upon entering or leaving the bank; not leaving similar materials in plain sight in their vehicles; and avoid routines such as going to the bank at the same time of day.