Latest Crime Trend, ‘Jugging,’ Invading Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin

The scheme has been around for over 30 years, but now it's got a new trending name after its recent uptick in use. “Jugging” is on the rise across the U.S. This sometimes violent crime is now cause for growing concern in the Tri-State area. This style of targeted robbery could begin showing up more often in Illinois, with copycat incidents spreading to Iowa and Wisconsin.

If you haven’t heard of it, "jugging" is when thieves hang out near banks or ATMs, watching for people who withdraw large amounts of cash. Once they spot a target, they follow them. It could be for miles, or not far at all. The thieves strike when the person lets their guard down. It might be at a grocery store, gas station, or even their own driveway. Victims have had car windows smashed and business money/bank bags stolen. In some cases, the encounters have turned violent.

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While most cases so far have been concentrated in states like Texas, Florida, and California, the crime has started creeping into the Midwest. In fact, earlier this month, police in Elmhurst, Illinois arrested three men from Texas accused of pulling off a jugging-style robbery right here in the suburbs. They reportedly followed someone from a bank and snatched cash from their car in a parking lot.

The big concern? With our many small-town banks and regional ATMs across Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, the rural areas could become a new target zone for criminals on the move. If people and law enforcement aren’t paying attention, our smaller communities could be targeted.

So what can you do to stay safe and avoid a "jugging?"

• Don’t count your cash in public.
• Keep an eye out for people hanging around bank parking lots or drive-thru ATMs.
• If you think someone might be following you, don’t go home. Head to a busy public place or even a police station.
• Vary your routine. Don’t always visit the same bank at the same time.
• If something feels off, trust your gut and report it.

It’s easy to feel like this kind of crime only happens “somewhere else,” but "jugging" is mobile, and now it's a growing trend. With a little more awareness and a few smart habits, we can keep it from gaining a foothold in our communities.