SAN JOSE, CA - After responding to a call on the east side of the city, the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) is warning its residents to stay on high alert after burglars were caught using hidden, camouflaged surveillance cameras to secretly monitor homes.
Police said this is a tactic used to scope out targets before striking. After responding to a neighborhood on Thursday, January 29, officers learned burglars hid a camouflaged camera in the bushes outside a home before fleeing the scene, Fox News reported.
The homeowner later discovered the camera, and it was then collected by the police. Authorities said the camera was attached to a power bank and positioned facing the house, presumably to monitor the residents in preparation for a burglary or other criminal activity.
SJPD Burglary Unit detectives opened an investigation, later finding a second camouflaged device near the area of where the first camera was located. Police believe the second device is Wi-Fi powered. Following the shocking discovery, the department told residents it had received "several" reports of deceptive tactics used to case unoccupied homes, signifying a trend.
Suspects are known to plant hidden surveillance devices or pose as delivery service providers or landscapers to determine when homes are unoccupied before committing burglaries.
"As a reminder, remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activity helps keep our neighborhoods safe," the agency said in a statement. Authorities also said to watch out for people ringing doorbells to see if anyone answers, packages left at doors to test whether a home is vacant, and unfamiliar vehicles or people repeatedly passing by a house.
If a homeowner finds a suspicious device, the department said not touch it and call law enforcement. No arrests have been made in the recent San Jose case, according to the department.
Police said this is a tactic used to scope out targets before striking. After responding to a neighborhood on Thursday, January 29, officers learned burglars hid a camouflaged camera in the bushes outside a home before fleeing the scene, Fox News reported.
The homeowner later discovered the camera, and it was then collected by the police. Authorities said the camera was attached to a power bank and positioned facing the house, presumably to monitor the residents in preparation for a burglary or other criminal activity.
SJPD Burglary Unit detectives opened an investigation, later finding a second camouflaged device near the area of where the first camera was located. Police believe the second device is Wi-Fi powered. Following the shocking discovery, the department told residents it had received "several" reports of deceptive tactics used to case unoccupied homes, signifying a trend.
Suspects are known to plant hidden surveillance devices or pose as delivery service providers or landscapers to determine when homes are unoccupied before committing burglaries.
"As a reminder, remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activity helps keep our neighborhoods safe," the agency said in a statement. Authorities also said to watch out for people ringing doorbells to see if anyone answers, packages left at doors to test whether a home is vacant, and unfamiliar vehicles or people repeatedly passing by a house.
If a homeowner finds a suspicious device, the department said not touch it and call law enforcement. No arrests have been made in the recent San Jose case, according to the department.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments