Two Los Angeles men were arrested for “bank-jugging” and stealing $14,000 from a victim in Thousand Oaks, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.
“Bank jugging” is a type of crime during which thieves target people drawing large sums of cash from banks or ATMs.” Criminals often hang out outside banks or ATMs and look for potential victims carrying bank envelops. Then they would follow the victims and wait for the person to leave the car attended with the money inside.
The Thousand Oaks “bank-jugging” incident was first reported on June 3 outside a convenience store on Avenida De Los Arboles, according to the sheriff’s office.
After viewing security camera footage, investigators learned after the victim withdrew the money, the two suspects followed the victim before breaking into the car and taking the money.
Detectives also learned the victim was followed for about two miles from a bank on Janss Road near Moorpark Road to the convenience store. When the victim went inside the shop, one of the suspects quickly broke into the car and stole the money the victim had withdrawn.
The two suspects, identified as 45-year-old Francisco Javier Nieto Mosquera and 44-year-old Ricardo De Jesus Melendez Rodriguez, were located and arrested in San Dimas on July 9.
The two men were accused of committing similar crimes in Torrance, including the theft of $700,000 from a elderly woman. When the suspects were arrested, they had the Torrance victim’s golf and jewelry with them, the sheriff’s office said.
Mosquera was held on a $50,000 bail while Rodriguez was behind bars on $20,000 bond. They were scheduled to appear in court Monday.
Ventura County authorities urged people to vigilant to avoid becoming a “bank-jugging” victim:
Conceal cash immediately after completing a transaction by placing it in a purse, bag or pocket to avoid drawing attention
Do not leave cash or valuables inside an unattended vehicle, even if the vehicle is locked
Maintain awareness of your surroundings when entering and exiting financial institutions
Be alert to individuals loitering in or around bank parking lots or appearing to monitor customers
If you suspect you are being followed, contact 911 immediately and follow the instructions of the dispatcher
Report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement without hesitation