FOUR PEOPLE ARRESTED IN “JUGGING” INVESTIGATION

  

The Austin County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been conducting an investigation involving individuals suspected of multiple “jugging” offenses.

Jugging is a type of theft in which suspects target individuals after they leave a bank or other business, often watching or following the victim before stealing cash, or other valuables from them or their vehicle.

As part of the investigation, the SIU was monitoring individuals believed to be involved in this type of criminal activity, including a vehicle linked to a Houston based crew associated with catalytic converter thefts and jugging offenses.

The individuals traveled to the New Braunfels area. As they returned toward Houston, the vehicle was stopped on Interstate 10 near the Colorado County and Austin County line by the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office. Austin County Sheriff’s Office investigators were on scene and continued to lead the investigation.

During the investigation, it was determined that the suspects were connected to an open theft investigation being conducted by the Pflugerville Police Department involving a Best Buy robbery.

Investigators also determined that the suspects had just left the scene of a smash-and-grab theft at a Best Buy in New Braunfels, which was being investigated by the New Braunfels Police Department. That theft was estimated at nearly $8,000.

The suspects, who were identified as 19-year-old Jayden Devon Actkins, 17-year-old Fredrick Cortez Graham, 18-year-old Christopher Michael Gordon, and a juvenile, were taken into custody for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, with additional theft charges pending out of New Braunfels.

Actkins, Graham, and Gordon were booked into the Colorado County Jail in Columbus without incident.

The juvenile was sent into the Comal County juvenile facility.

The Austin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office, Sealy Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, Pflugerville Police Department, and New Braunfels Police Department for their assistance and cooperation throughout this investigation.

This investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.