ARLINGTON, Texas — Law enforcement agencies across DFW are heeding warnings to the public regarding holiday crime.
The Arlington Police Department shared a video on Facebook this week about crime stemming from criminal observation.
“Jugging is when somebody follows you from the bank after you make a withdrawal and breaks into your vehicle to steal the money,” said Detective Miller with APD.
The video goes on to talk about the potential dangers that could follow cash withdrawals in a public setting and advises people to be aware of their surroundings and take note of suspicious vehicles on their way home.
Lewisville police shared a similar social media post on Wednesday, this time the focus was on “porch pirates." It’s a crime Greg Pierce experienced firsthand.
“It’s definitely a violation of privacy,” said Pierce.
He says a masked criminal stole packages right off the front porch of his Lakewood home.
“We did see someone on our ring camera come up and take our package," he said.
Now, his family tries to bring new packages inside as soon as the deliveries are made. They’ve also taken other safety precautions.
“We’ve actually added a lot of lighting around our front porch and front yard.”
The Lewisville PD Facebook post states it’s best to track your packages, use delivery alerts, don’t leave packages unattended, and if possible, request a signature at delivery.
Vehicle break-ins also tend to peak with the prime shopping season. It’s just one reason why Collin County recently dedicated an entire task force to combat holiday crime. The thefts often occur in busy parking lots, where thieves can peak into a lot of cars in a short amount of time. Authorities urge you to take valuables out or do your best to hide them from view.
North Texas law enforcement agencies all seem to echo the same sentiment, which is to stay safe this holiday season.