Bell police say a new twist on an already brazen crime is hitting local streets, with so-called "bank juggers" now puncturing or deflating victims' tires so they are forced to pull over, then grabbing cash left inside their cars. The department recently posted a warning on Instagram after officers noticed suspects tailing people from banks and ATMs. That tire trouble, investigators say, creates the perfect moment for thieves to strike the second drivers step out to inspect their vehicles.
In their Instagram advisory, Bell Police Department described "bank jugging" as suspects who "watch individuals withdraw cash from a bank or ATM, then follow them to another location to steal the money," according to KTLA. The post, echoed in local coverage, notes that suspects have been deflating victims' tires so targets are forced to pull over, at which point thieves swoop in to take any cash left inside the vehicle.
Similar scams have surfaced far from Los Angeles. In Martin County, Florida, deputies say suspects flattened tires and then jumped into victims' cars to grab purses and cash, an incident that ended with arrests and recovered money, according to WPBF. Deputies there urged people not to flash bank envelopes and to call 911 if they suspect they are being followed.
Law enforcement agencies across Southern California have been sounding the alarm about "bank jugging" for months. Officers say thieves often shadow customers from ATMs and bank branches to quieter locations where it is easier to pounce, as FOX 11 Los Angeles reported. Police recommend mixing up your route, hiding cash before walking out of the bank, and heading for a busy, well-lit spot or straight to a police station if you think someone is on your tail.
How The Scheme Works
Investigators say jugglers usually operate in coordinated crews. One person acts as a spotter at the bank, watching for customers who leave with envelopes or bags. Another follows the target vehicle, while a third person waits nearby as the getaway driver. The tire deflation tactic appears to be an escalation, creating a sudden mechanical problem or dashboard alert that forces drivers to stop so thieves can grab unattended envelopes or even confront victims, according to KTLA.
Police Safety Tips
Officers urge bank customers to conceal cash before leaving a branch, keep car doors locked, and stay alert to any vehicles that might be following. If your tire-pressure light comes on shortly after you make a withdrawal, deputies say you should call 911 and keep driving to a well-lit, busy area or a police station instead of pulling over in a secluded spot, according to local reporting by WPBF.
Lawmakers in other states are also taking notice. Texas made "jugging" a standalone felony in 2025, boosting penalties for following and robbing bank customers, according to FOX 7 Austin. Previous coverage of arrests tied to similar jugging schemes shows the tactic popping up in cities from Florida to California.
Police say simple precautions such as tucking money out of sight, scanning parking lots, and calling 911 if you feel uneasy can lower your chances of being targeted. Anyone with information about recent tire-slashing or tailing incidents is urged to contact local law enforcement.
