A 76-year-old woman was robbed outside her northwest San Antonio home in a suspected "jugging" attack and was treated for minor injuries at the scene. Police say the thief pushed the woman to the ground, grabbed envelopes containing cash and fled before officers arrived.
According to KENS5, officers were called to the 10300 block of Lion Chase on March 14 after the woman had driven home from a local bank where she withdrew money. Investigators told the station a person got out of a silver SUV, approached the woman, pushed her down and grabbed two envelopes containing cash before leaving the scene. The San Antonio Police Department describes the case as an active investigation and said there had been no arrest in the initial reporting.
Police urge caution as jugging rises
San Antonio police have warned residents about jugging, a tactic used by thieves who follow people from banks and ATMs, after tracking hundreds of cases this year, according to Express-News. Detectives advised concealing bank envelopes, using drive-thru services when possible and being mindful of vehicles that appear to follow someone after a withdrawal.
New law and hot spots
A recently enacted state law now treats jugging as a distinct felony, giving prosecutors clearer charges for those who follow and target bank customers, as reported by KSAT. Police have pointed to bank clusters along corridors like I-10 and busy shopping areas as "hot spots" and say suspects sometimes follow victims across neighborhoods before striking.
How neighbors can help
Neighbors and family members can reduce risk by checking on older residents after trips to the bank, noting and reporting unfamiliar cars loitering near homes and reporting suspicious behavior to police. Do not confront suspects; instead record descriptions or license-plate numbers and share that information with investigators to aid the ongoing probe.
