Thief Followed Victim Who Left Bank With Cash: Tampa Police

TAMPA, FL — Tampa police are investigating a “bank jugging” theft that happened earlier this month.

“Bank jugging” is a term used when criminals target people who withdraw cash from banks or ATMs.

The suspect in the April 5 incident followed the victim, who withdrew money, from a bank on W. Kennedy Boulevard to a nearby restaurant in the 2100 block of W. Kennedy Boulevard, according to a Tampa Police Department news release.

He broke into the victim’s truck through the front passenger window and stole the cash, which was left in the center console. (Watch a surveillance video of the suspect breaking into the truck below.)

The suspect is a Black man about 18 to 25 years old with pierced ears, police said. He has a medium build, short black hair and can be seen wearing a blue disposable mask, a white hoodie, and yellow and black gloves.

He was seen driving a white Kia Sportage.

Tampa police detectives are working with the Houston Police Department as they believe he may be part of a group that travels between the Houston and Tampa Bay areas committing similar crimes.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Tampa police at 813-231-6130 or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bayat 800-873-TIPS.

• Don’t display large sums of cash in public.
• Vary your routine when visiting a bank.
• Be alert for suspicious people loitering around banks.
• Deposit large sums of cash promptly.
• Consider the use of a night deposit box.
• If followed, drive to a well-lite, populated location and call the police.

Watch a surveillance video of the suspect breaking into the truck below: