AUSTIN, Texas — A 22-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly followed an 80-year-old man home from the bank and “brutally attacked” him in northeast Austin.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded to a call reporting a robbery on Inspiration Drive, near LBJ High School, on July 23.
Investigators said Christopher Phillips surveilled bank customers and targeted the man, believing he had withdrawn a large amount of cash. He allegedly followed the man home and assaulted him as he attempted to enter his house. Phillips is accused of stealing the man’s wallet and damaging his doorbell camera.
Sgt. Jennifer Taylor with APD’s Robbery Unit said they were able to track Phillip’s silver SUV using recently installed automated license plate reading cameras around Austin.
“Members of the Violent Crimes Task Force and APD robbery detectives were able to track that vehicle based off of locations from those cameras,” Taylor said. “They narrowed down the location. They did a quick surveillance before the suspect came out of an apartment wearing the same thing he was wearing during the robbery.”
APD said Phillips was arrested within hours of the robbery taking place. The University of Texas Police Department also assisted with the investigation.
Taylor said crimes like these are informally known as "juggings," where someone waits at a bank or an ATM for someone to walk out with a large amount of cash or goods to steal from them. She said around $273,000 has been taken in almost 90 reported jugging cases just this year.
APD is reminding the public to be aware of vehicles that loiter in or near a bank parking lot and any vehicles that appear to be conducting stationary or mobile surveillance. Austinites are urged to be mindful of any vehicles that appear to be following them.
APD offered the following tips to help avoid becoming a victim of jugging:
- Before leaving the counter/ATM after receiving cash, secure it in a different bag (other than the small zipper cash bags or envelopes), such as a briefcase or purse
- Lock your car doors when you get into your vehicle
- If you believe you are being followed from a financial institution for any length, call 911 or drive to the nearest police station, fire/EMS station
- Speak with security at your bank to see if they can assist you with large withdrawals or if they have any safety suggestions when withdrawing a large amount of cash