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Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Thursday March 26th, 2026 :: 12:12 p.m. PDT

Community

Community Awareness – Bank Jugging

Nature of Incident: Community Awareness – Bank Jugging
Report Number: 26-35193, 26-31350, 26-29060, 26-22255, 26-117.33
Location: Ventura County
Date & Time: January 2026 through March 2026
Unit(s) Responsible: East County and Camarillo Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

City of Residence

 Age
Multiple Unidentified Suspects Unknown Unk
 
Narrative:
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is advising the public of an increase in crime trend commonly referred to as “Bank Jugging” or “Bank Follow-Home” occurring throughout its jurisdictions during the first quarter of 2026.
“Bank Jugging” typically involves suspects targeting individuals who withdraw large sums of cash from banking institutions. In many cases, suspects observe customers either inside or outside the bank and identify potential victims based on behavior consistent with cash withdrawals, such as carrying bank envelopes. The suspects then follow the victim to a secondary location (such as a home, parking lot, or business), where they wait for the individual to leave their vehicle unattended. Once the opportunity presents itself, suspects forcibly enter the vehicle—often by breaking a window—and steal the cash left inside.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office urges community members to remain vigilant and take the following precautions when conducting financial transactions:
  • Conceal cash immediately after completing a transaction by placing it in a purse, bag, or pocket to avoid drawing attention.
  • Do not leave cash or valuables inside an unattended vehicle, even if the vehicle is locked.
  • Maintain awareness of your surroundings when entering and exiting financial institutions.
  • Be alert to individuals loitering in or around bank parking lots or appearing to monitor customers.
  • If you suspect you are being followed, contact 911 immediately and follow the instructions of the dispatcher.
  • Report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement without hesitation.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working in partnership with the community to enhance public safety and prevent crime.
 
Join us in the fight on crime by following us on X @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook & Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
 
Prepared by: Sgt. Richard LaSecla  
News Release Date: 03/25/2026  
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Pasha Sabet
805-494-8225
[email protected]
 		  
Approved by:
 
 		 Captain Albert Ramirez
 		  
           
 
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
 

Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511

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