As the holiday shopping season approaches in the United States, authorities across the country are warning the public to remain vigilant during the festive shopping period, as thieves are employing a popular crime tactic to quickly steal money.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), this type of crime tactic is known as “jugging”, where criminals follow victims from banks, ATMs, or stores, waiting for the right moment to steal their cash or newly purchased items.
Law enforcement officials state that during the holiday season, these types of incidents tend to increase significantly, as shoppers often carry large amounts of cash or expensive gifts.
There have been numerous cases of this type of crime across the United States, making headlines, with the most recent incident occurring earlier this month in Texas.
According to reports from FOX26, a television station under Fox Broadcasting Company, on November 10th, a 70-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint while using an ATM in a Walmart parking lot in Houston.
Police reported that the suspect forced the victim to withdraw money from the ATM, but even after the victim handed over the cash, the suspect still shot at him. The elderly man was rushed to a local hospital and is currently in critical condition.
Earlier in April, Houston also experienced two similar cases: in one incident, a criminal followed a victim to a car wash after they left an ATM, brandishing a gun in an attempt to rob them but was unsuccessful and fled the scene; in another incident, two criminals followed a victim who had just left a bank, and when the victim entered a convenience store at a gas station, they smashed the car window and stole an envelope containing cash.
Retired New York City police officer Bill Stanton told Fox News that these types of crimes are particularly rampant during economic downturns and peak holiday shopping seasons, and criminals often target individuals who appear inattentive to their surroundings in public places.
Stanton urged shoppers to take preventive measures to protect their safety, especially during the holiday season.
Both Stanton and the FBI recommend that shoppers should look around and be alert for suspicious individuals before approaching an ATM or exiting a car in a parking lot.
The FBI advises people to change their habits when going to the bank, avoid predictable patterns to prevent being followed, and to conceal cash when leaving an ATM or store.
Stanton warned that after withdrawing money, it’s crucial to put the cash deep in your pocket and head straight back to your car. Avoid counting money while on the phone or with money in your hands.
(This article references reporting from Fox News)