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Law enforcement agencies across the country are noting an alarming crime trend of hidden cameras being placed in residents’ lawns and gardens.
Officials believe the hidden cameras are strategically placed by burglary suspects to give them insight into when a target home might be unoccupied.
In the early hours of May 24, a call was made to the NYPD about an illegal surveillance incident. The report detail described by a spokesperson included the discovery of a cellphone, along with its charger and cable, buried in the caller’s front yard.
“There have been no arrests, and we are still investigating the matter,” the spokesperson stated. “If anyone suspects they’ve been a victim of such activity, they should promptly report it to their local police precinct or call 911.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office has issued a cautionary message for residents to be vigilant about hidden cameras in shrubs, which are strategically placed by burglars to monitor homes. (LA County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the sheriff’s office, so-called South American Theft Groups are typically made up of Chilean or Colombian nationals in the U.S. on limited tourist visas.
The “highly organized criminal enterprises” go from state to state, committing burglaries and thefts. The group uses technology that allows access to cameras from remote locations, giving them the ability to conduct real-time surveillance, the sheriff’s office noted.
Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
