Safeguard Strategy and SafeHorns President Joell McNew and small business owner and attorney Rupal Chaudhari share their experiences with the crime crisis in Austin, Texas. A man in Austin, Texas, known only as Steve, recently reported being drugged and robbed during a night out in the city. Steve is now trying to recover thousands of dollars that went missing that night. According to reports from FOX 7 in Austin, Steve and his friends were enjoying a night in Downtown Austin and were not heavily intoxicated. They ended the night at Estelle’s, a cocktail bar on 4th Street. Steve’s last memory of the night was FaceTiming his cousin to let him know he was getting into an Uber. The next morning, he woke up in his bed to find his credit and debit cards, as well as his phone, missing.
Upon checking his bank statements, Steve discovered multiple charges at three Walmart stores near Katy, Texas, totaling around $10,000. He also found smaller charges, a cash withdrawal, a Zelle payment, a 7-Eleven charge, and two ATM withdrawals, all amounting to significant losses. Steve immediately contacted the Austin Police Department, his banks, and other relevant entities. However, finding assistance and support has been a challenging and time-consuming process.
Unfortunately, Steve’s case is not an isolated incident. Another man reported waking up with no memory of the previous night, only to find thousands of dollars missing from his account. In a separate incident, two women were arrested for posing as rideshare drivers and robbing victims in Downtown Austin.
The Austin Police Department has warned about a crime trend called jugging, where criminals pretend to be rideshare drivers and either rob passengers or drive them around with the intention of stealing money and belongings. Steve’s bank, Chase, denied his fraud claim, citing the use of his PIN and inconsistent information provided during the reporting of the incident.
Steve’s story serves as a reminder that anyone can become a victim of this type of crime. He hopes that by sharing his experience, the public will become more aware of this issue. Chase recommends that clients sign up for free account alerts on their website.
As the crime crisis in Austin, Texas continues, it is essential for local authorities and community members to work together to address and combat these criminal activities.
