SAFETY ALERT: A crime called jugging is spreading through the region
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Police are warning the public about a crime called “jugging” that is making its way through South Carolina, with Georgia possibly next.
“Bank jugging” or “jugging” is a crime where suspects often work in teams to rob victims or break into their vehicles shortly after they withdraw money from a bank or ATM.
The perpetrators either rob customers in the parking lot or follow them to their next location.
New details on 16-month-old victim of 'suspicious death'
A mother is asking for the community to “pray for us,” after losing her 16-month-old in what the coroner is calling a “suspicious death” as social media posts shed light on what kind of boy he was.
The crime is common in Houston, but multiple incidents have recently occurred in the Greenville area and Mauldin.
The trend caught the FBI’s attention a few months ago.
“These assailants are brazenly targeting bank and ATM customers, posing a significant risk to the public of both physical and financial harm,” the agency’s William J. DelBagno said.
MORE FROM NEWS 12
Safety and security: Taking care of your family
- How to protect your family from fentanyl
- Where to get food for kids while school is out
- Broad Street Ministry Center expands services for those in need
- Parents share concerns about new Columbia County library rules
- TSA warns travelers of using free charging stations
Here are some tips from the FBI and other agencies:
- Be aware of your surroundings: Always be vigilant when withdrawing or depositing money from a bank or ATM.
- Look around for anyone who appears suspicious or is loitering in the area.
- Pay attention to people backed into parking spaces who do not exit their vehicles.
- Don’t leave your car or the building if you see suspicious vehicles.
- Report any suspicious activities immediately.
- When leaving the bank, ensure your cash is not visible. Place it in a secure, inconspicuous location such as a pocket or a bag.
- Avoid regular patterns in your banking habits. Change the times and locations you visit the bank.
- Drive directly to your next destination. If you think you’re being followed, drive to the nearest police station or a crowded, well-lit area, and call 911.
- Do not engage in activities that might distract you, such as using your phone, until you are in a safe place.
- Do your banking online when you can.
‘We voted for the JBA’: City leaders fight name change for new arena
Augusta commissioners have made it official: They don’t want James Brown’s name removed from the downtown arena when it’s rebuilt.
If you have any information on a jugging case, call the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI or submit an anonymous tip through tips.FBI.gov.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
