Authorities are issuing warnings as concerning trends linked to violent street crimes are surfacing in South Carolina. Surveillance footage has spotlighted a type of robbery commonly referred to as “jugs.” This crime involves criminals observing banks and ATMs, targeting individuals who withdraw substantial sums of money. After the transaction, these assailants typically take their victims to a different location, often using the victim’s vehicle.
Steve Harrigan, a senior correspondent, mentioned this alarming trend during a segment on “American Report.” He noted that local police weren’t even familiar with the term until the incidents began unfolding in their areas. There’s a prevailing concern that these situations can escalate quickly.
In one instance, recorded on April 26, footage captures a man in a red truck struggling as he tries to escape from a silver SUV. The SUV is seen fleeing from the scene across various surveillance angles.
Cpl. Cecilio Reyes from the Mauldin Police Department described the modus operandi of these criminals: “They’re watching closely. They’ll see you either enter the bank or leave, or even glance at ATM withdrawals, noting if you’re withdrawing a significant amount.”
Harrigan also highlighted a spike in arrests in Texas before this practice began spreading to both North and South Carolina.
In one troubling example from South Carolina, a landscaping business owner unknowingly went to the bank, withdrew his weekly salary, and stopped at a gas station for a soda. While there, two criminals, who typically worked in conjunction with his Chevrolet, targeted him, making off with his entire salary of $6,000.
It has also been reported that Texas legislators are exploring ways to impose stricter penalties on these kinds of felonies, distinguishing them from regular robberies.
