'Juggling' – A New Type of ATM Robberies in the US: How Criminals Work and How to Protect Yourself
Police in a number of American states are noting the growth of a criminal trend called juggling. Its victims are most often citizens who plan to withdraw cash from an ATM or a bank for their own needs, and then a group of criminals manage to rob them in a matter of seconds.
Police in several US states such as Texas, North Carolina, Alabama and South Carolina report that the number of cases of “juggling” continues to grow among statements from victims. Most often, this happens when a person goes to withdraw money and is robbed in a matter of seconds by a group of trained bandits, Fox News reports.
Journalists write that this type of robbery consists of criminals monitoring banks and ATMs, looking for victims withdrawing large amounts of money. When these victims complete their transactions, the robbers usually follow them to a second location where they rob the victims, often in their cars.
“Juggling rhymes with robbery, a trend that has already cut across Texas and South Carolina. Some cops weren't even sure what the word meant until a crime broke out in their area. Law enforcement warns that the crime itself can be committed in a matter of seconds,” the reporters report.
South Carolina State Police spokesman Corporal Cecilio Reyes explained how the crime is typically committed. He points out the following pattern: The criminals will follow and watch the victim as they enter or leave a bank or withdraw money from an ATM to see how much cash the victim takes, and then follow them until the opportune moment.
“For example, there was a case in South Carolina where a landscaping business owner walked into a bank, unaware that he was being watched, took his week's paycheck, stopped at a gas station for a soda. Then two robbers – they usually work as a team – drove up to his car, broke the window and ran off with his entire paycheck, taking all of his money, $6,000,” said Steve Garrigan, a journalist for America Reports.
The journalist also reported that the Texas state legislature is currently working to make juggling a separate felony with harsher penalties than simple robbery or assault.
Police advise everyone not to withdraw large amounts of money and try to limit themselves to the necessary amount. People are also asked to be aware of suspicious people who may be nearby and to report “any suspicious activity by strangers” to the cops when visiting a bank or ATM.
Earlier we wrote about the massive failure of Visa and Mastercard in March.
