Four arrested during Austin County jugging investigation

BELLVILLE — Four people were arrested following an Austin County Sheriff’s Office investigation into individuals suspected of “jugging” and other theft offenses, according to an Aug. 12 release from the department.

The Austin County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit had been monitoring individuals believed to be involved in jugging, a type of theft in which suspects watch or follow people leaving banks or other businesses before stealing cash or valuables from them or their vehicles.

Investigators were also monitoring a vehicle reportedly linked to a Houston-area crew associated with catalytic converter thefts and jugging offenses.

According to the sheriff’s office, the individuals traveled to the New Braunfels area before heading back toward Houston. The Colorado County Sheriff’s Office stopped their vehicle on Interstate 10 near the Colorado-Austin County line. Austin County investigators were at the scene and continued leading the investigation.

Investigators determined the suspects were connected to an open Pflugerville Police Department investigation involving a theft at a Best Buy. They were also linked to a smash-and-grab theft that had occurred at a New Braunfels Best Buy shortly before the traffic stop, according to the release.

Approximately $8,000 in merchandise was reportedly stolen during the New Braunfels incident.

Ja yde n De v on Adki ns, 19; Fredr ick Cortez Graham, 17; and Chr istopher Michael Gordon, 18, were arrested on organized crime charges and booked into the Colorado County Jail. A fourth suspect, who is a juvenile, was taken into custody and booked into a Comal County juvenile facility.

Additional theft charges related to the New Braunfels incident are pending, according to the sheriff’s office.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be filed.

The Austin County Sheriff’s Office credited 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 Pol ice Department with assisting in the investigation.

Al l persons ar rested or charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.