California officials are urging residents to stay vigilant after a burglar used hidden surveillance cameras disguised as ordinary objects to monitor homes secretly. This unsettling tactic aims to identify targets before carrying out thefts.
The alert followed a response by San Jose police to a neighborhood on the east side of the city last Thursday.
Officers found that the robbers had stashed a fake camera in the bushes outside a residence before they left the area. The homeowner eventually discovered the camera, which was later retrieved by the police.
Authorities reported that the cameras were powered by battery packs and aimed at the homes, likely to observe residents in preparation for criminal activities.
Detectives from the San Jose Police Department’s Robbery Division initiated an investigation and unearthed a second camouflage device close to where the first camera had been found.
This second device appears to be Wi-Fi-enabled, raising further concerns.
Following this alarming find, officials disclosed they had received multiple reports of deceitful tactics being used to target vacant homes, suggesting an emerging trend in crimes of this nature.
Criminals have been known to install hidden cameras or impersonate delivery personnel or landscapers to determine when homes are empty before executing their plans.
In light of these developments, the police emphasized the importance of exercising caution and promptly reporting any suspicious behavior to enhance neighborhood safety. Residents are advised to watch for doorbell ringers checking for responses, people leaving packages to test vacancy, and unfamiliar vehicles or individuals repeatedly loitering in the area.
The department also cautioned homeowners against tampering with any suspicious devices they might encounter, recommending that such findings be reported to law enforcement instead.
No arrests have been made in connection with the recent case in San Jose, according to the department.
