New Braunfels, TX — Two men have been arrested after a woman was allegedly followed home from a bank, assaulted and targeted for her purse in what New Braunfels Police described as an apparent “bank jugging” robbery.
Officers responded around 10:15 a.m. Sept. 3 to the 2200 block of Meadow Way for an aggravated robbery.
Police said the woman had just returned home from the bank and was getting out of her vehicle when an unknown man assaulted her while attempting to steal her purse. The suspect and an accomplice fled in a greenish-yellow Chevrolet Trax.
Using the department’s License Plate Reader system, officers identified the vehicle and located it a short time later near North Kowald Lane and the I-35 access road.
Police attempted a traffic stop before the vehicle stopped at a gas station near Loop 337 and Business 35. Both occupants allegedly ran from officers.
One suspect was immediately apprehended, while the second fled into a wooded area. K-9 and drone units, assisted by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office, located the second suspect and took him into custody without further incident.
Police identified the suspects as:
• Mekhi McKinstry, 22, of Richmond
• Christian Woods, 20, of Houston
Both were booked into the Comal County Jail on charges of Aggravated Robbery and Evading Arrest or Detention.
The victim suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening and did not require transportation to a hospital.
Police said the case remains under investigation and additional charges may be pending.
BANK JUGGING SAFETY
New Braunfels Police warned that “bank jugging” typically involves suspects watching people withdraw money from a bank or ATM and following them before stealing the money or other property.
Residents are encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings when leaving a bank or ATM, avoid leaving cash or valuables inside vehicles and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
The charges are allegations. McKinstry and Woods are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
