California thieves have begun using technologically advanced methods to scope out potential targets, using camouflaged cameras to track homeowners and find the best times to strike, in a startling new trend known as “burglary tourism.”
Last week, in Alhambra, a city near Los Angeles, residents discovered a small camera hidden by leaves and left in the bushes near a home.
The Alhambra Police Department warned residents on Facebook, including a picture of the camera, which was hidden in a green shell and surrounded by fake leaves.
“Last night, your APD responded to a call on the 1900 block of S. Primrose Ave. regarding a report of an attempted burglary,” the department wrote on Facebook. “The victim’s neighbor found a hidden camera in the bushes pointing toward their home. Their alarm company also notified them of an attempt to open the kitchen window earlier that day.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that these devices have been discovered. In May, four Colombian nationals were arrested by Glendale police for allegedly running “burglary tourism” scams using similarly camouflaged equipment, KTLA-TV reported.
Burglary tourism is a recent phenomenon when foreign nationals will enter the United States using tourist visas to commit burglaries.
“They’ll commit these crimes, they’ll use different identities, things like that and eventually they’ll go back to their home country,” Glendale PD Sgt. Vahe Abramyan told KLTA.
Just days later, another camera was discovered outside of a home in Garden Grove, CA, in northern Orange County. The homeowner’s neighbor discovered the camera on their property, but it was unclear how long the home had been under surveillance.
“She thought that someone had put trash in her bush, so she went to clear it up,” the homeowner, identified only as Lisa, said. “Upon getting closer to the bush, she pulled out a bag and there was a camera with a battery pack.”
“Unfortunately, camouflage cameras are a tactic being used in residential burglaries. These cameras are strategically placed in discrete areas, such as bushes, to allow thieves to gather information about homeowners’ daily routines to burglarize their homes,” police warned. “It’s important to regularly inspect the exterior of your home for any unfamiliar objects or changes in the landscaping that could potentially hide a surveillance camera.”
WKRN provided a list of additional suggestions that the Alhambra Police Department recommended to avoid a break-in at your home:
- Never leave a hidden key at home.
- If you spot a suspicious vehicle, write down the license plate and report it.
- Always lock doors and windows when leaving, even if only for a moment.
- Keep your front porch and exteriors well-lit.
- Keep trees and bushes well-trimmed so they don’t become a hiding spot for thieves.
- Install home security cameras and monitor frequently.
- If you spot a broken window or open door, do not enter and call police immediately.
The phenomenon, however, is not limited to California. In May, Sheriff Mike Bouchard of Michigan’s Oakland County warned that criminal gangs from Chile are taking advantage of a visa waiver program allowing them to enter the United States with less scrutiny, per NewsNation.
Chilean nationals have been able to qualify to enter the United States using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
“The Visa Waiver Program enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for Tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa,” according to the State Department website. “Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements.”
Bouchard said that such criminals have burglarized as many as 50 Oakland County homes since 2023, primarily targeting wealthy communities.
Some of the victims have included executives at General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford, which are headquartered in the Detroit area.
“We’re not going to stop it as a local agency or even with, you know, state and federal partners. It’s got to be stopped by national policy,” Bouchard told NewsNation.
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Author: John Symank
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