04-05-2025
El Paso bank customer robbed in 'jugging' after followed from ATM
"Jugging" thefts continue targeting customers who withdrew cash from banks or ATMs as El Paso police seek the public's help to identifying the occupants of an SUV in a recent case.
A bank customer's money was stolen in a vehicle burglary at an Upper Valley convenience store on April 24 after the customer visited an ATM at a Wells Fargo bank on the West Side, Crime Stoppers of El Paso police liaison Sgt. Javier Sambrano said in the Crime of the Week.
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"Jugging" is a type of crime were thieves lurk near a bank or ATM watching to see if a customer withdraws money. The customer is followed to another location, where the thieves rob the victim or burglarize their parked vehicle hoping the money was left behind.
At 11:58 a.m. on April 24, a customer withdrew money from an ATM at the Wells Fargo branch at 6950 N. Mesa St. next to Resler Drive, Crime Stoppers said.
Investigators determined that the customer was followed from the bank by a black SUV — possibly a newer model Ford Explorer — for about two miles to a Speedway gas station at 4990 Doniphan Drive next to North Mesa Street, Crime Stoppers said.
Outside the convenience store, the SUV parked next to the customer's truck. While the customer was inside the store, a person exited a drive-side back door of the SUV, broke a window to the truck and grabbed the cash, which been left behind, Crime Stoppers reported.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Watch for suspicious persons.
Carry cash discretely. Never leave money, or anything of value, inside a parked vehicle.
Vary route after departing bank. If being followed, call 911.
"Jugging" thefts have occurred sporadically in El Paso for over a decade, sometimes involving theft crews from Houston. Recent cases have popped up since at least October.
Anyone with information on bank jugging thefts may anonymously call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477 (TIPS) or leave a tip online at
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso bank customer robbed in 'jugging' after followed from ATM
