2 men arrested after APD officers witness them stealing $8K from victim's car

AUSTIN, Texas - Two men were arrested after officers witnessed a jugging-style crime in North Austin.

Police said on Dec. 13, around 11 a.m., the Austin Police Department conducted an operation targeting jugging-style crime suspects. 

Within 10 minutes, undercover officers spotted a suspect's vehicle that fit the description of known jugging suspects. Police said this was an area the suspects frequented.

The suspects were following a potential victim after leaving a bank. Several minutes later, the suspect and victim's vehicle were seen putting into the parking lot of 11300 North Lamar Boulevard. 

After a passenger in the victim's vehicle left, one of the suspects entered the victim's car. The suspect then took an envelope from the victim, left the car, and entered the suspect's vehicle. Officers who saw the crime conducted a traffic stop.

The envelope contained $8,000 in cash, along with the victim's personal bank card and ID.

Both suspects, later identified as Brandon Lee Wright, 25, and Marquise Keyon Collins, 19, were arrested and charged for felony theft, due to the amount that was stolen. 

The victim’s money was returned to them.

"The Austin Police Department would like to remind the community to be very aware when withdrawing and traveling with large amounts of cash, especially during the holidays. It is recommended that citizens avoid leaving large amounts of cash in their unattended vehicle, or try to avoid carrying large amounts of cash altogether," APD said.

"APD would also like for this to be a warning to suspects coming into Austin with the intentions of committing juggling-style crimes. The Austin Police Department routinely conducts these types of operations and ensures they are fully investigated. APD will not tolerate people taking advantage of our citizens, especially during the holidays, and anyone suspected of these crimes will be arrested and referred for prosecution," the department added.