Detectives warn thieves are staking out bank parking lots and hitting fast—some stealing up to $90,000 in a single attack
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio police are sounding the alarm tonight as jugging crimes continue to surge across the city—many now tied to organized crews traveling in from Houston.
Jugging is when thieves stake out bank parking lots, watch customers withdraw money, then follow them for miles and strike the moment the victim stops. SAPD says these criminals are “out right now,” targeting local banks.
“From there, they’ll spot a potential victim and follow them around throughout the city, wherever they stop, if they go home, if they make some stops in between, they’ll follow them,” said Detective Nathan Zachary with SAPD’s Property Crimes Unit.
Detective Zachary says the losses in jugging cases vary wildly.
“We’ve seen from where they’ve only taken $20 to up to $90,000 in one incident,” he said.
Last year alone, SAPD estimates juggers stole more than a quarter-million dollars from San Antonio residents.
Police say one of the most alarming trends is the number of suspects traveling from other Texas cities—most commonly Houston– to prey on unsuspecting San Antonians.
In August, two suspected juggers from Houston were arrested after police say they stalked a local bank parking lot, and then trailed their victim 13 miles to his northside home.
Zachary believes some groups are intentionally leaving Houston, where police are also cracking down, and heading to San Antonio to avoid detection.
“I believe they just come here to make it harder for us to catch them,” he said.
In October, Brenson Lair—also from the Houston area—became the first person in Bexar County arrested under Texas’ new jugging law, which now carries tougher penalties.
“It’s a new penal code violation,” Zachary said. “So we’re able to focus in on where these crimes are happening and find trends to catch them more.”
Before the law changed, jugging cases were typically filed only as burglary of a vehicle, making the crimes harder to track and prosecute, according to police.
SAPD warns that the first Friday of every month is one of the busiest times for juggers to strike, as people withdraw cash for rent, payroll, and bills.
Investigators say crews often work in pairs, sometimes in multiple cars, scouting parking lots and following more than one person at a time.
Police say if you leave a bank and notice a vehicle following you from location to location, don’t drive home.
“Call police,” Zachary urged. “Be aware of your surroundings.”
SAPD’s safety tips include:
Use the bank drive-thru when withdrawing large amounts of cash.
Keep money envelopes hidden immediately—not visible in your hands.
Avoid parking in secluded or low-visibility areas.
If you think you’re being followed, go to a police substation, a busy store, or call 911.