AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Mustang Ridge Police Department is investigating after a report of a “jugging” that happened at an IHOP Monday afternoon.
Mustang Ridge PD said on social media that officers responded to the “jugging” shortly after 1 p.m. at the IHOP at 17500 Camino Real, according to police.
Jugging is a form of robbery. A suspect follows a victim from a bank, ATM or check-cashing store to their next location. There, the suspect threatens or assaults the victim and demands or takes the money, KXAN reported in 2022.
Police said the victim “had recently withdrawn a sum of money from a bank in Austin and was followed to the IHOP.” Two suspects were caught on surveillance cameras from a business breaking into the victim’s vehicle in an attempt to “steal the cash.” However, “the suspects took the wrong bag.”
The driver of the suspect vehicle, described as “a white four-door sedan, possibly a 2017 Kia Sorento LX with tinted windows,” was also caught on surveillance footage. The suspect is described by police as a Black woman, around 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a medium build and wearing a black shirt and dark pants. No license plate was visible on the vehicle, according to police.
The second suspect allegedly broke the passenger side window of the victim’s vehicle during the “jugging,” police said.
“We want to remind the community to remain aware of their surroundings, especially when conducting financial transactions,” Sergeant Jorge Cruz with Mustang PD said in the release. “With the community’s help, we hope to identify and apprehend these suspects quickly.”
Anyone with information on this case, including surveillance footage or suspicious activity, is urged to contact police via email at patrol@mustangridgetx.gov or by calling 512-361-8189.