California warns residents after burglars use hidden cameras to watch homes
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California authorities are warning residents to be on high alert after burglars were caught using hidden, camouflaged security cameras to secretly monitor homes; police say a chilling tactic is used to scope out targets before attacking.
The warning came after the San José Police Department responded to a neighborhood on the city’s east side on Thursday.
Officers learned the burglars had hidden a camouflaged camera in bushes outside the home before fleeing the scene.
The homeowner later discovered the camera and it was collected by police.
Police shared a photo of the camouflaged camera. (San Jose Police Department)
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The camera was connected to a power bank and placed facing the home to monitor residents in preparation for a possible burglary or other criminal activity, authorities said.
SJPD Burglary Unit detectives began an investigation and later located a second camouflaged device near the area where the first camera was located.
According to officials, the second device is believed to be a Wi-Fi enabled device.
Police shared a photo of a camouflaged Wi-Fi device that thieves could use to spy on victims. (San Jose Police Department)
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Following the shocking discovery, the department told residents it had received “several” reports of deceptive tactics being used to identify vacant homes, indicating a trend.
Suspects have been known to install hidden surveillance devices or pose as delivery service providers or landscapers to determine when homes are vacant before committing burglaries.
San Jose officials said surveillance trends have been identified in the city. (Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“As a reminder, staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activity helps keep our neighborhoods safe,” the agency wrote in a statement.
Authorities also said to watch out for people ringing the doorbell to see if anyone answers, packages left on doorsteps to test whether the house is vacant, and unfamiliar vehicles or people passing by a home repeatedly.
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If a homeowner finds a suspicious device, the department said not to touch it and to call law enforcement.
According to the department, no arrests have been made in the latest San José case.
