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California authorities are warning residents to stay on high alert after burglars were caught using hidden, camouflaged surveillance cameras to secretly monitor homes—a chilling tactic police say is being used to scope out targets before striking.
The warning comes after the San José Police Department on Thursday responded to a neighborhood on the east side of the city.
Officers learned burglars hid a camouflaged camera in the bushes outside a home before fleeing the scene.
The homeowner later discovered the camera, and it was collected by police.
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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.
The second device is believed to be a Wi-Fi powered device, according to officials.
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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 wrote 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.
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If a homeowner finds a suspicious device, the department said not to touch it and call law enforcement.
No arrests have been made in the recent San José case, according to the department.