SAN ANTONIO, TX — San Antonio Police are urging residents to stay alert after releasing surveillance video showing a bold jugging theft at a local gas station.

According to investigators, the victim had just withdrawn a large amount of cash from an ATM. He placed the envelope of money on the passenger seat of his vehicle and stopped to get gas. What he didn’t realize was that a group of suspects in a stolen car had followed him from the ATM.

The video shows the suspects circling the victim’s vehicle once. On the second pass, one of them quickly jumped out, opened the unlocked passenger door, grabbed the cash, and sped away. The victim, distracted while pumping gas, didn’t notice until it was too late.

Detectives say the situation highlights two critical mistakes: leaving the vehicle unlocked and failing to stay aware of surroundings.

This type of crime, known as jugging, involves suspects watching people withdraw money and then trailing them to a secondary location where they strike. SAPD reports more than 200 jugging cases so far this year.

Detective Zachary offered several reminders to help protect yourself:

• Stay alert when withdrawing cash
• Don’t leave money visible in your vehicle
• Lock your doors every time you step out
• If you suspect someone is following you, drive to a safe, populated location and call police

SAPD encourages anyone who witnesses suspicious behavior near banks or ATMs to report it immediately.