Unacceptable Social Behavior

Unacceptable Social Behavior

Jugging:  An Escalating Trend in Crime

By Ron Mullins and Thom Bolsch

Jugging has been around for a while; a story on the subject was presented on the nightly news in the early 2000s.

A car slipped in beside another at the service station and while the woman was pumping gas, a criminal actor slipped into the passenger side of her car and stole her purse, then slipped away without her knowing she’d just been robbed.

The activity has escalated and morphed over the years.  Criminal perpetrators will identify and target a bank customer and follow them to their next stop, breaking into the customer’s car to steal the cash withdrawal while the bank customer is running another errand.  They will target a woman entering a retail establishment and await her return to attack and steal her purchases and purse as she approaches her vehicle.

It’s a smash and grab, or sometimes just a grab, perpetrated against an individual as opposed to a retail display cabinet.  But just as violent and more traumatic for the individual victim.

So how can you counter such an attack?  How do you protect yourself from becoming a victim of “Jugging”?

With the increasing trends of jugging in the Houston area; there have been a couple of news stories on the subject, with some suggestions on how to prevent you from becoming a victim.  We are going to share with you what we have learned from our research…

First, and most important: stay alert to the activities around you.  Do not let yourself get distracted.  Keep your head up and look around you as you move through the parking lot or while filling your tank.  Do not let someone surprise you.

Next; before you leave the store for your vehicle; have a plan in mind.  Know how you will proceed to your destination, consider where there may be a potential threat and how to avoid it.  Do Not just haphazardly wander through the parking lot looking for your vehicle.  Move with a purpose as you proceed to your vehicle; and purposefully view all sides of the vehicle before unlocking and entering.  Once inside, lock the doors, engage the engine and drive away.  Organize your stuff when you get home.

To continue; Do Not make a withdrawal from your bank and drive to another location to continue with your errands.  Make the bank stop last and go straight home or to your office.

While getting fuel: Once you have the fill lid open, lock your vehicle.  And when the tank is filling, stand behind and to the side of the vehicle so you can watch the driver and passenger doors, and the area between your vehicle and one that might pull up next to yours.

Even with preparation, a criminal actor my still attempt to attack you.  A question you must ask yourself now: Is what they are attempting to steel worth a ‘fight’?  And plan for how you will respond.  This is a personal question that only you can answer, and for which only you can prepare.  When thinking about your response, consider what you keep in your wallet and/or purse while determining whether you’ll fight.  Consider what you don’t need and your minimal essentials: Driver’s license, one credit card and some cash; and keep your phone in a pocket not your purse.

Should an encounter escalate to violence against you, be prepared to fight back if necessary.  Remember that the attacker will not fight fair; so you shouldn’t either!  If you don’t think you can, sign up for a class that can teach you.  For the ladies, look into the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office RAD course.  If you carry a firearm, sign up for a Defensive Pistol course at Saddle River Range.

Most importantly, be prepared.  It may never happen to you; but if it does, you want to be able to have a planned response and not just a reaction.   Check out our training schedule.  Sign up for a class that will provide you with the skills you desire.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe,

www.saddleriverrange.com

© Copyright 2021 Ron Mullins and Thom Bolsch

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