OCOEE, Fla. – OCOEE, Fla. — Ocoee police are warning residents about an increase in so-called “bank jugging,” a crime that involves watching people leave banks with cash and following them to another location.
Sgt. David Ogletree with the Ocoee Police Department said officers have investigated about six to eight cases over the past three to four weeks, including some reported over the weekend.
He says the worst case involved someone losing four thousand dollars in a matter of seconds.
Police say criminals may target people carrying bank bags or envelopes that identify their bank. They then follow the person to another business or home, where they break into the vehicle and steal the cash.
“If you have a bank bag that says Truist or Bank of America or whatever bank of the day it is, and they’re following those people — whether it’s home, mostly it’s another business where they leave that money in a car — you go inside and in a matter of seconds they break into your car,” Ogletree said.
Ocoee police provided video showing two recent bank-jugging cases.
Authorities recommend taking cash with you if you have to make another stop after leaving the bank. Police also say people using ATMs should remain aware of their surroundings.
The department says the crimes are not limited to nighttime. Some of the cases have happened in broad daylight.
Anyone who believes they are being followed should avoid confronting the person and refrain from stopping to get out of their vehicle.
“Go to a well-lit, populated area or the police department,” Ogletree said. “Don’t stop at the red light and get out of your car and confront them. That can just lead to more problems.”
Residents can also contact the Ocoee Police Department’s non-emergency line.