On October 8th (Tuesday) morning, a homeowner in the Chinese community of Arcadia in Southern California immediately called the police after discovering a hidden camera in the bushes in front of their home. Law enforcement in different areas had previously issued warnings: hidden cameras have become the latest modus operandi for burglary gangs.
Around 8 am on Tuesday, police from Arcadia arrived at a residence near the corner of Highland Oaks Drive and Virginia Avenue and found a disguised camera lying in the bushes. The police stated that the placement of the camera was extremely clever, almost able to clearly capture nearby properties, and was only discovered by the homeowner after it fell into the bushes.
“Disguised cameras are a strategy used by thieves during home invasions,” the police said in a press release. “Criminals place hidden cameras in certain areas to gather information on the daily lives of the community and specific homeowners.”
The incident of hidden cameras has left the community on edge. In recent months, residents in Alhambra, Chino Hills, Garden Grove, and other areas have found such hidden cameras in front of their homes.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department previously indicated that this is primarily a tactic of the South American Traveling Gangs (SATG), who excel in disguising surveillance devices in natural settings and strategically placing them outside residences. Through remote technology, criminal groups can view live footage captured by the cameras to monitor homeowners’ daily activities and routines.
In September, three Colombian nationals were charged with allegedly placing camera devices outside a residence in Temecula. In July, another homeowner in Arcadia discovered similar surveillance equipment in the bushes. In May, the Glendale police arrested four Colombians suspected of involvement in an international burglary gang and found a portable camera disguised as a tree leaf in their car.
Currently, due to the ongoing investigation, the Arcadia Police Department cannot provide much information. However, they advise residents to take the following precautions to avoid becoming victims: immediately note suspicious vehicles and report them; do not hide spare keys outside your home; install motion-sensor lights at night; always lock doors and windows when leaving home; ensure the use of effective security surveillance systems; trim trees and bushes to prevent them from becoming hiding spots for burglars; if returning home to find broken windows or a door left open, do not enter the house, instead, immediately call the authorities.