‘Camouflage camera’ found in bushes after attempted burglary, CA cops say. What is it?
California police are warning of “camouflage cameras” after a homeowner found one tucked away in the bushes on the same day as an attempted burglary.
Officers responded to an Alhambra home the evening of Monday, June 17, after a neighbor found “a hidden camera in the bushes,” according to a Facebook post from the Alhambra Police Department.
“(The camera) was aiming toward the house across the street, so it’s kind of scary that people are actually planting to make an attempt to do something,” Ruth Pedroza, a neighbor, told ABC7 News.
Earlier in the day, the homeowner’s alarm company also notified them that someone tried to open their kitchen window, police said.
“Unfortunately, camouflage cameras are a tactic being used in residential burglaries,” police said. “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.”
Similar incidents
The incident follows similar reports of hidden cameras outside homes across Los Angeles and Orange counties.
In late May, a homeowner found a camera and battery pack in their flower bed, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a Facebook post.
Similarly, a Garden Grove resident found a hidden camera in the bushes of a front yard, police said in a May 29 Facebook post.
At the time, no crimes were reported in the area, according to police.
“Great job on the resident who was vigilant and spotted the device,” police said.
Tips
Alhambra police urged homeowners to regularly check the outside of their homes “for any unfamiliar objects or changes in the landscaping” that could denote a hidden camera.
“Keep trees and bushes well-trimmed to prevent hiding spots for thieves,” the department said.
Police also advised homeowners to never leave a hidden key outside the home.
“Always lock doors and windows when leaving, even if only for a moment,” police said.
Homeowners should also install security cameras and check them frequently, according to police.
This story was originally published June 20, 2024 at 2:46 PM with the headline "‘Camouflage camera’ found in bushes after attempted burglary, CA cops say. What is it?."
