California coastal city warns of uptick in ‘bank jugging’

Authorities in a popular West Coast destination are warning residents and visitors about a growing trend in which thieves are targeting bank customers.

“The Hermosa Beach Police Department has recently noticed an uptick in bank jugging incidents within our city and surrounding areas,” the Police Department posted on Instagram Thursday.

Authorities said the bank jugging crooks watch people as they withdraw cash from banks, credit unions or ATMs and then follow them to another location. The victims are then robbed or have their unattended vehicle broken into.

Police offered the following tips to prevent bank jugging:

• Hide your cash: Make sure you conceal your money prior to leaving the confines of the bank or ATM
• Stay alert: Look around the parking lot for anyone watching or lingering
• Don’t leave cash in your car: Take it with you
• Vary your routine: Don’t drive straight home; instead, take different routes and notice the cars taking the same path as you
• If you think you’re being followed: Call 911 and drive to the nearest police or fire station, or a busy, well-lit public place
• Report suspicious activity: If you see someone watching customers or vehicles outside a bank, call police and notify bank staff

Bank jugging incidents have become more common throughout Southern California this year.

In July, a bank jugging suspect was caught on video stealing thousands of dollars from a car in Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson neighborhood.

“I had it in an envelope, a few thousand dollars,” the victim told KTLA’s Sandra Mitchell. “It’s a lot of money. I’m not rich. I work hard.”

And in Orange County, police arrested three suspects, also in July, who allegedly burglarized a car in Irvine to steal a banker’s bag after the owner had conducted a banking transaction.

Detectives found the stolen banker’s bag, a fake license plate, burglary tools, a ski mask, and cash after searching the suspects’ vehicle.