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'Jugging' criminal trend arrives in Scottsdale, two arrested

'Jugging' criminal trend arrives in Scottsdale, two arrested
Posted at 11:47 AM, Jun 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-30 15:01:00-04

Scottsdale police are warning the public about a new criminal trend in the Valley known as "jugging."

On June 28, 25-year-old Nathaniel Ray House Jr. and 23-year-old Qu Nesha Lache Ward were arrested for vehicle burglaries in the Scottsdale area. 

According to police, "jugging" is when gang members stake out banks and ATMs to watch people leaving with bank bags or envelopes. The suspects proceed to follow the victim to other locations and burglarize the victim's vehicle while the victim is away from their car. 

On May 18, 2017, Scottsdale police responded to a vehicle burglary at the Albertson's at Scottsdale and Thomas roads. Police learned the victim made a cash withdrawal at a bank just before arriving at the grocery store. Detectives eventually determined House and Ward were suspects. 

After a month-long investigation, House and Ward were tied to seven separate incidents and stole about $10,000.

Scottsdale police said House is a documented gang member from Houston, Texas.