League City, TX (June 4, 2024): On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, detectives with the League City Police Department Community Impact Unit (CIU), with the assistance of the Houston Police Department’s Auto-Crime Unit, the Houston Police Department’s Clear Lake District, and the Friendswood Police Department, arrested 31-year-old suspect, Jarrett Stearns out of Houston, and 25-year-old suspect, Richard Teal out of Houston. Stearns and Teal were both arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity ($100,000 bond for each).
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, a joint undercover “Bank Jugger” Operation was conducted by League City PD, Friendswood PD, and Houston PD. Several banks in Harris County and Galveston County were surveilled by undercover officers.
“Jugging” is a crime in which criminals park in or near bank parking lots to watch for bank customers who walk out with cash or currency bags in hand. The suspects then follow the unsuspecting victims when they leave the bank. The suspect, or “Jugger”, will follow the victim until there is an opportunity to steal the money. “Juggers” often either break into the victim’s car when they park, or the suspect may rob the victim at gunpoint.
To prevent the suspects from targeting an innocent bank customer, an undercover officer entered the bank posing as a customer. The officer was then followed by the Nissan to the Kelley’s Country Kitchen in League City.
Undercover officers observed the Nissan park next to the undercover vehicle. The back seat passenger identified as Jarrett Stearns exited the Nissan wearing a hoodie, mask and gloves. Stearns broke the rear window of the undercover vehicle and completely entered the vehicle. Officers then quickly moved in on Stearns and the driver of the Nissan by blocking the vehicles. Officers placed Stearns and the driver of the Nissan, Richard Teal, in custody without incident.
Officers charged Stearns and Teal with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, and each of them received a $100,000 bond out of Galveston County.
