
Denver Police are warning residents about an emerging crime trend called "jugging," where criminals follow bank customers after they withdraw cash and rob them at their next destination. While the city has seen fewer than 25 reported incidents since early 2024, officials are taking proactive steps to educate the public about this growing threat.
The criminal tactic involves suspects watching customers at banks, credit unions, or ATMs, then following victims believed to have withdrawn large amounts of cash to their next location where they commit robbery, according to the FBI. Law enforcement agencies report that perpetrators either rob customers while still in the parking lot or follow them to their homes or other destinations, according to Travis County Sheriff's Office.
A National Crime Wave Reaches Colorado
Originally concentrated in Texas, jugging has now spread across multiple states, with recent surges reported in Maryland, South Carolina, and California, reports Fox News. The FBI Baltimore Field Office reported around seven dozen jugging offenses in 2024, with more than half occurring in June and July alone, according to the FBI.
Colorado has not been immune to this trend. The Colorado Springs Police Department has also issued warnings about jugging incidents in their jurisdiction, as reported by Nextdoor. Police agencies nationwide have reported dozens of cases, with some netting thieves thousands of dollars in a single incident, reports NewsNation.
Denver's Banking District Sees Elevated Caution
Denver's financial district, particularly areas around major banking centers, has become a focus for heightened awareness. Recent federal cases have highlighted the vulnerability of customers at locations such as financial institutions along major corridors. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado recently prosecuted a 72-year-old Denver man for multiple bank robberies, though these were traditional bank robberies rather than jugging incidents, according to the Justice Department.
Denver crime statistics show the city has experienced only four bank robberies reported so far in 2025, down from higher numbers in previous years, according to Denver Crimes. However, jugging represents a different type of threat that occurs after customers leave banking facilities.
How Jugging Operations Work
Criminal organizations typically work in teams, with some groups like the "Hiram Clarke Money Team" traveling from Houston to commit jugging-style robberies in other states, according to the Justice Department. Criminals often use deceptive tactics, such as puncturing victims' tires to force them to stop, then posing as Good Samaritans before committing the robbery, reports NewsNation.
The crime has proven particularly lucrative for perpetrators. Maryland authorities recently solved 34 jugging cases where more than $155,000 was stolen from victims between August 2023 and July 2024, according to WTOP. In one case, thieves made off with $20,000 from a single victim in Riverside, California, reports NewsNation.
Protection Strategies for Bank Customers
Denver Police recommend several precautionary measures to avoid becoming a jugging victim. Customers should be aware of their surroundings when withdrawing money and watch for anyone paying unusual attention to their activities. The FBI advises being discreet with withdrawn funds, securing cash in a purse, wallet, or bag before returning to vehicles, reports FOX 5.
Law enforcement experts suggest varying banking routines and locations to prevent criminals from learning customers' habits. If customers suspect they are being followed, they should drive directly to a well-populated public place or police station and call 911 immediately, advises the FBI.
Legal Consequences and Enforcement Response
Texas legislators are working to make jugging a specific felony with harsher penalties than simple robbery, reports Fox News. The American Bankers Association has urged Congress to codify ATM crimes under the Bank Robbery Act to ensure consistent penalties for such crimes, according to ABA Banking Journal.
The FBI emphasizes that these assailants are "brazenly targeting bank and ATM customers, posing a significant risk to the public of both physical and financial harm," according to the FBI. Federal prosecutors are taking these cases seriously, with convictions carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison for each federal offense.
The timing of this warning comes as Denver continues to see improvements in overall crime statistics. Data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association shows violent crimes are down in Denver compared to the same period last year, though residents and visitors continue to express safety concerns about downtown areas, reports Denver7.
Anyone who notices suspicious behavior around banks or believes they are being followed after a banking transaction should immediately contact Denver Police at 911 or report the activity to bank security personnel.