El Paso, Texas — Three men from Houston have been arrested in connection to the recent robbery of a 78-year-old man who had withdrawn cash from a Wells Fargo bank. The suspects were charged with theft from a person-engaging in organized criminal activity, following a string of similar “jugging” thefts in El Paso.
On January 24, the senior citizen went to Wells Fargo at 2340 N. Mesa St. in Kern Place and withdrew $100 in singles. As he walked to his car, he placed the cash and receipt in a money bag, unaware that he was being followed. After driving home and walking to his residence, the victim heard screeching brakes and felt someone grab his arm, snatching the money bag. The thief fled to a waiting vehicle that sped off.
Police quickly reviewed security camera footage and confirmed the suspects had been following the victim from the bank. Officers later located the vehicle outside another Wells Fargo location. After conducting surveillance, they detained the trio and discovered marijuana in plain view inside the car. A search warrant was obtained, and the stolen money bag, containing the victim’s cash, was recovered.
At least one suspect confessed, admitting to following the elderly man and planning the theft. Marquez Carroll, 27, grabbed the bag, while Cerell Dewayne Williams, 24, drove the vehicle, and Tony Bruce Jr., 24, acted as the lookout.
The men were in a rental car and claimed to be passing through El Paso, with one suspect mentioning having family in the city. Police have urged anyone with information on similar incidents to come forward through Crime Stoppers of El Paso.
“Jugging” is a term used to describe a crime in which thieves wait outside a bank or ATM to identify potential victims withdrawing money. After following them to a new location, the thieves rob or burglarize the customer. This crime has been occurring sporadically in El Paso and is often associated with suspects from Houston.