The increase in high-end car theft cases has fueled a rise in home invasions as thieves target remote car keys. In many of these home invasion cases, some residents have been at home while the thieves were stealing.
Today, thieves use technology that can render your phone useless, preventing you from calling for help. Criminals can also remotely disable security and surveillance cameras in your home.
The Morris County town of Florham Park has issued a warning to residents that criminals are using Wi-Fi jammers in home invasions.
Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando posted an alert on Facebook.
Orlando said, “While Wi-Fi jamming devices are not uncommon in organized crime, this is the first time we’ve seen or heard of such devices being used in Morris County. The methods utilized by these criminal groups have made significant technological advances.”
How prevalent is the use of Wi-Fi jammers to disrupt phones and cameras? It is currently unclear how widespread the use of Wi-Fi jammers is in New Jersey, and whether it is the work of car thieves who break into homes looking for remote keys.
In Florham Park, the use of such devices is linked to a South American theft ring. This criminal group is not interested in cars; they are after your valuables. They target upscale residences, often stealing high-end jewelry, accessories, and cash. They typically strike when residents are away, but in a recent case, the homeowner was present.
When the thief broke in, the homeowner was in the basement and heard noise upstairs, so he tried to call for help using his phone, but it wouldn’t work. He fled the home and managed to get a signal on his phone.
In addition to using Wi-Fi jammers to disrupt phones and cameras, another concerning trend in home invasions is that theft groups are installing their surveillance cameras in some communities. They use these hidden cameras to pinpoint the best spots for breaking in.
Police say that these surveillance cameras can be disguised in various ways, including fake utility boxes, flower pots, tree stumps, rocks, and even whimsical owl figures with moving heads designed to scare off small animals.
Authorities advise residents to check their yards and public areas. Residents should be aware of what should and should not be in their yards or front yards. If anything looks suspicious, they are urged to report it to the police.