Gardaí have asked the public to be weary of bank jugging thieves this Christmas as people may be in possession of larger amounts of cash in their homes.
Bank ‘jugging’ occurs where thieves look for people leaving a financial institution with a bank bag, coin box or bank envelope which looks like they may have a large amount of cash.
The customer may then be followed with the thief looking for an opportunity to steal the cash, maybe by breaking into their car or a distraction theft from the victim directly.
Three males involved in this type of theft were arrested at the end of November and subsequently charged with multiple offences before the courts.
These males are currently remanded in custody. During the course of the operation, the contents of a number of bank accounts were frozen and €110,000 in cash was recovered.
People carrying out cash banking transactions are asked to be aware of their surroundings, especially if something seems strange when entering a bank.
Gardaí are advising people to conceal bank deposit bags, coin boxes or envelopes as they enter and leave the bank and to take your bank bag or envelope with them into your next destination, and not hide it in a vehicle.
People should always vary their routes and times for cash drops and collections and consider using electronic funds transfer rather than depositing or withdrawing cash.
Anyone who feels like they are being followed is urged to call 999 and drive to a Garda station.
