LOS ANGELES, CA – Three men were arrested after authorities said they followed an elderly man home from a bank and stole a large amount of cash from his vehicle in a so-called bank jugging theft in Ventura County.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspects as Malcolm Lockhard, 26, of Long Beach; Tyson Hinton, 27, of Lancaster; and Quawun Williams, 33, of Long Beach.
Deputies were called around 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 18 to the 2200 block of Via Leal in Camarillo following a report of a theft in progress.
According to investigators, the elderly victim had visited a bank earlier that day and withdrawn a large amount of money.
Authorities said the man was apparently unaware that he was being watched after leaving the financial institution.
Investigators allege the three suspects followed the victim from the bank to his home.
After arriving at his residence, the victim pulled into his driveway and remained seated in his parked vehicle for a short period of time.
That is when one of the suspects allegedly approached the car, opened the passenger-side door and took the victim’s money.
Surveillance footage later reviewed by investigators showed that the alleged theft involved three distinct roles, authorities said.
One suspect approached the victim’s vehicle and took the cash, a second allegedly acted as a lookout, and a third remained in a vehicle and served as the getaway driver.
The three suspects then fled the area.
Deputies received a description of the suspects’ vehicle and began searching for it.
Authorities located the vehicle as it traveled onto the 101 Freeway.
Deputies eventually conducted a traffic stop and took all three men into custody.
Police did not disclose how far the suspects traveled before they were stopped or whether a pursuit occurred.
Hinton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime, grand theft and felony vandalism.
Williams was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime and grand theft.
Lockhard was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime, grand theft and destroying evidence.
All three men were being held on $200,000 bail each, according to authorities.
The amount of money allegedly taken from the elderly victim was not released.
Investigators also did not disclose whether the full amount was recovered after the arrests.
The case is being treated as an example of what law enforcement calls bank jugging.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office described the crime as one in which suspects specifically watch people who withdraw cash from a bank or ATM and then follow them in hopes of stealing the money later.
Suspects may wait near financial institutions and look for customers carrying envelopes, cash bags or other signs that they have made a significant withdrawal.
Rather than confronting the victim at the bank, offenders may follow the person to another location where they believe the cash will be easier to steal.
That can include a victim’s home, workplace, shopping center or another stop made after leaving the bank.
Authorities said offenders may then break into a parked vehicle or directly confront the victim.
In the Camarillo case, investigators allege the suspects followed the elderly man all the way to his home and waited until he was sitting in his driveway before making their move.
The fact that the theft happened at the victim’s residence underscores one of the risks associated with bank jugging: victims may believe they are safe once they have left the bank without realizing they are being followed.
Authorities recommend that people remain alert not only while making a withdrawal, but also while leaving the bank and traveling to their next destination.
Residents are encouraged to watch for vehicles that appear to follow them through multiple turns or continue behind them for an unusual distance.
Law enforcement also advises people to avoid displaying cash or withdrawal envelopes in public and to conceal valuables before reaching their vehicles.
Large cash withdrawals can attract attention, particularly when customers count money in open areas or carry obvious envelopes from a teller window or ATM.
If someone believes they are being followed after leaving a bank, authorities recommend avoiding going directly home.
Instead, drivers should proceed to a police or sheriff’s station or another secure location and call 911.
Authorities also advise against confronting a suspected follower.
The goal, police say, is to create distance, move toward law enforcement and provide dispatchers with as much identifying information as possible about the suspicious vehicle.
Useful details can include the vehicle’s color, make and model, license plate, direction of travel and number of occupants.
Investigators have not said whether the Camarillo victim noticed anything suspicious before arriving home.
They also have not disclosed how long the suspects are believed to have watched him before following his vehicle.
Surveillance video played an important role in identifying the alleged division of responsibility among the three men.
Authorities have not said whether footage from the bank itself was also obtained or whether investigators believe the suspects had targeted other customers earlier in the day.
No additional suspects have been announced.
The arrests represent allegations, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Authorities continue to advise residents to use extra caution after withdrawing significant amounts of cash.
Anyone who believes they are being followed should drive to a safe location, contact law enforcement and avoid attempting to confront the suspicious individuals.
The investigation remains ongoing.
