Austin County, TX — Four people were taken into custody following a multi-agency investigation that began with suspected “jugging” activity and ultimately connected the group to theft investigations involving Best Buy stores in Pflugerville and New Braunfels, according to the Austin County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit had been monitoring individuals suspected of involvement in multiple jugging offenses. Jugging involves watching or following victims after they leave a bank or other business before stealing cash or valuables from them or their vehicles.
Investigators were also monitoring a vehicle linked to a Houston-based crew associated with catalytic converter thefts and jugging offenses.
Authorities said the individuals traveled to the New Braunfels area. As they returned toward Houston, the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office stopped the vehicle along Interstate 10 near the Colorado County-Austin County line.
Austin County investigators were present and continued leading the investigation.
Investigators Link Group to Best Buy Cases:
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators determined the suspects were connected to an open Pflugerville Police Department theft investigation involving a Best Buy.
Authorities also determined the group had just left the scene of a smash-and-grab theft at a New Braunfels Best Buy. That theft was estimated at nearly $8,000.
Arrested:
• Jayden Devon Actkins
• Fredrick Cortez Graham
• Christopher Michael Gordon
• A fourth individual identified only as a juvenile
Actkins, Graham and Gordon were charged with Organized Crime and booked into the Colorado County Jail without incident.
The juvenile was taken to a Comal County juvenile facility.
Additional theft charges are pending out of New Braunfels, according to the sheriff’s office.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional charges may be filed.
The operation involved assistance from 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 Police Department.
All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.