HOUSTON – Two known bank jugging suspects who allegedly followed people home from different banks in the Bellaire area and then robbed them were arrested Wednesday.
The Houston Police Department's Northeast Tactical Unit and Bellaire Police Department arrested Cederick Brookes, 23, and Eric Brackens, 24, after the two men followed a woman from a Bellaire bank to a local shopping center. They broke open the woman's car window and stole things such as her purse and other items.
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Police said both men are suspected in possibly dozens of Bellaire and Houston area bank jugging motor vehicle burglaries. Eric Brackens had an open felony warrant from a previous Bellaire area jugging when he was arrested, said police, and Cedric Brooks had multiple open warrants with the city of Houston.
Police also said Cedric Brooks was arrested in connection to a large $1,000,000+ pharmacy burglary ring. He was arrested with several other northeast Houston men who were stealing from Walgreens pharmacies in Florida, said HPD. Cedric Brooks goes by the nickname of "C-Boo."
According to a release from HPD, "Jugging refers to a customer being targeted for burglary or robbery as he or she leaves a bank with cash. Juggers usually conduct surveillance at a bank prior to committing their crimes and many jugging victims do not know why they were targeted or even realize they were being followed. The jugger parks his vehicle, usually with heavy tinted windows, in an area allowing him to watch the front doors, the outside ATM machine and the drive-through teller line. Bank bags and envelopes are two items that draw attention. These are known to criminals as "jugs." Most juggings occur when the customer leaves the bank and goes to another retail or commercial business. Suspects will typically follow a customer's vehicle from the bank, with the intent to either break into the vehicle or rob the customer."
Police recommend bank customers pay attention to their surroundings, look for suspicious vehicles near the ATM or in front of the bank and never make a bank bag, envelope or carrying case visible.