Burglars have become frighteningly high-tech and creative, hiding cameras in people's gardens to monitor when they break in.
It's a trend occurring across Southern California, with Lost Hills being the latest neighborhood to fall victim after a homeowner reported a camera and battery pack found in his yard to the sheriff on Friday.
“It's invasive and it's scary,” Saratoga Hills resident Jim Spach said.
Residents of the Saratoga Hills community in Calabasas are checking their yards tonight.
“Yeah, I'm gonna check out my neighbors' yards as soon as I get home,” Saratoga Hills resident Ryan Harris said.
After a resident discovered a camera hidden in a flower bed, the Lost Hills Sheriff's Office issued a special bulletin informing the public about high-tech burglars and hidden cameras that can remotely monitor homes and later burgle them.
“It just doesn't make sense to be worried that you're going to be violated in some way when you go home when you can't live in your community. It's just wrong,” Saratoga Hills resident Kim Spaulding said.
“We're going to have more alarms set up. We're probably going to be more diligent because we have alarms,” Spach said.
Last month, hidden cameras were discovered in yards in several Southern California communities, including Glendale.
“It scares me because I feel like I can't live in a very safe neighborhood,” Glendale resident Michael Maccio said.
Police have arrested four Colombian nationals there, all of whom are suspected of being part of a tourist theft ring.
“These homes are being hit nonstop, about one a week,” Glendale resident Tammy Kazazian said.
Law enforcement officials believe the same thing is happening in Saratoga Hills, where the thieves, mostly Chileans and Colombians, are on tourist visas with the sole purpose of conducting surveillance and burglary.
“Given today's technology, I'm upset but not surprised,” Spaulding said.
Investigators say the thieves also use Wi-Fi jamming devices to disable security cameras and alarms to avoid detection during their break-ins.
