Oklahoma City police arrested three Houston men after tracking them through surveillance technology following a car burglary near I-240 and Santa Fe Avenue.
The arrests stem from a reported break-in that police responded to around noon on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Lowe's near I-240 and Santa Fe Avenue, according to an Oklahoma City Police Department press release. A victim had completed a banking transaction before stopping at the store. While the victim was inside, suspects broke a vehicle window and stole cash left in the car.
Police said they believed the burglary was a jugging incident. Jugging is a scheme in which suspects watch people leave banks or other financial institutions, then follow them and steal their cash.
Surveillance led to quick arrests
An OKCPD Property Crimes Specialist responded to the scene and shared information with the department's specialized investigative units, including its CRIME unit and Investigations division, the press release stated. Members of the Santa Fe Crime Unit and Southwest Crime Unit reviewed surveillance cameras from the area and identified a suspect vehicle.
Investigators then used automatic license plate readers and closed-circuit television systems to locate the vehicle and set up surveillance. Officers conducted a traffic stop and took three people into custody. Detectives recovered cash during a search of the vehicle.
Suspects and charges
Police arrested Jalen Gross, 32, Dennis Earl, 42, and Datavien Arvie, 22, all of Houston. Each was booked on complaints of third-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit a felony.
A judge authorized bonds of $100,000 for each suspect.
Investigators said they believe the three are affiliated with a Houston-based criminal street gang linked to similar jugging incidents in Oklahoma City and surrounding jurisdictions, according to the press release. The department did not name the gang or specify how many prior incidents have been connected to the group.
What is jugging?
The term describes a pattern in which suspects stake out banks, credit unions or check-cashing businesses. They watch for customers who leave with cash, follow them to a next stop and break into their vehicles while they are inside a store or restaurant.
The OKCPD urged residents to avoid leaving cash, firearms, purses, wallets or other valuables inside unattended vehicles. The department also encouraged anyone who has completed a banking transaction to stay aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
