SAN ANTONIO — A 61-year-old man has died nearly one month after he was attacked and robbed of cash he withdrew from a bank, according to a Cibolo Police press release.
Police say James Doty, a former Cibolo City Council member, went to a Schertz bank to get cash on June 15 before driving to another business. About 45 minutes after the bank visit, police say, he was attacked and his money stolen.
Police are still working to identity the suspects, and have not made any arrests.
Bank surveillance video shows a woman wearing a mask and watching Doty enter a gray Chevrolet Impala before following him to another business, according to the release. Surveillance video shows the Impala circling the business parking lot while Doty is inside.
A Trailblazer then pulls up behind Doty's car, police say, and a passenger wearing a surgical mask exits, approaching Doty from behind before attacking him. A struggle ensues before the suspect takes off with an envelope containing Doty's money.
Doty was able to drive away from the scene and Cibolo Police say no calls were reported when the incident occurred.
“We have seen the video and it was a vicious, cowardly attack," said Jason Mallory, Doty's stepson.
He said his family believes the attack from the jugging incident led to his death.
On June 21, six days after the jugging incident, Doty suffered a fall and was sent to a San Antonio-area hospital, where he fell into a coma and was placed on a ventilator, according to the release. Police say he later died on July 12.
“There’s no doubt in any of our minds that the beating that he took, is the root cause of why he died," Mallory said.
Matt Schima with Cibolo Police said it is too soon to determine if the suspects could be charged with murder since they are waiting for autopsy results.
“We’re doing the best that we can to bring the highest charges for these individuals," Schima said.
Schima said this is the first incident of bank jugging he has seen in Cibolo but emphasized that it is a growing trend, everywhere.
“Unfortunately, incidents of ‘bank jugging’ are on the rise across the country. We want to encourage everyone to always be aware of your surroundings, especially when withdrawing money from a banking institution. If you suspect you are being watched or being followed, do not stop anywhere. Immediately call 911 to have a police officer meet you at a safe, well-lit location or drive to the closest law enforcement agency as a safe location,” Cibolo Police Department says.
Cibolo Police Department added, “Mr. James Doty was a long-time civil servant and resident in the Cibolo community and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Our detectives have made this case a top priority and are diligently working to identify the suspects responsible."
Doty served on Cibolo City Council from 2013 to 2016, and was also a brigadier general. He had served in the U.S. Army for 33 years. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, according to relatives, after a memorial service scheduled for August 5 at the Disabled American Veterans location in Seguin.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing and and Cibolo Police Department Detectives are working to identify the suspects. If anyone has any information Cibolo Police say to contact Detective Hernandez at (210) 858-3209. You can also remain anonymous by contacting the Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 877-403-TIPS (8477).