Alleged juggers arrested in El Paso; crime no longer only in big cities

In a recent string of vehicle burglary cases, El Paso investigators discovered some of the victims had at least one thing in common.

They had been to a bank before being victimized.

It’s a crime called jugging and it is no longer only happening in big cities.

Police say criminals target their victims at ATMs or banks.

Once the people have their money, the bad guys follow them to another location where they are robbed, or their cars are burglarized.

Most people who swing by a bank or ATM are looking to make a quick transaction and may not take the time to check out their surroundings.

But word of the crime known as jugging is spreading.

“You never know when it could happen. It could just be a surprise,” said an El Paso resident.

Surprise is exactly what juggers count on.

Jugging involves targeting banking customers who appear to make withdrawals in order to victimize them after leaving the bank. Offenders follow the unsuspecting victims to another location to either rob them or break into the victim’s car looking for money that has been left behind.

“Mostly I put it in my wallet. But, if it is a big amount of cash, it’s not going to fit in your wallet. So, probably keep it in your car. But it’s dangerous,” said an El Paso resident.

El Paso investigators just arrested a ring of alleged juggers.

The suspects are identified as 21-year-old Colby Carrington, 20-year-old Isaiah Jackson and 22-year-old Tyler Perez-Philbot.

Although jugging has been occurring for a few years in other Texas cities, police say it is a relatively new crime trend in El Paso.

Experts suggest making an unnecessary turn if you suspect you are being followed. If the person continues to follow you, pull into a public place and call 911.

Investigators say sometimes juggers come from out of town, but the suspects who were just arrested have El Paso addresses.