Residents in California are being urged to remain vigilant after a disturbing trend has come to light—burglars are employing hidden surveillance cameras, cleverly camouflaged, to secretly observe homes. This unnerving approach is reportedly being used to identify potential targets before carrying out burglaries.

This alert follows an incident that unfolded in San José. On Thursday, the local police department responded to a call from a neighborhood on the city’s east side, where they discovered a troubling tactic in play.

Upon arriving, officers uncovered that burglars had concealed a camouflaged camera in the bushes outside a residence. The intruders had already fled by the time police arrived, but the homeowner later found the camera, which was subsequently confiscated by law enforcement.

The San José Police Department has since released an image of the camouflaged device to raise awareness among the community. The camera was ingeniously attached to a power bank and strategically placed to face the house, likely to keep a watchful eye on the occupants in preparation for illicit activities.

Police shared a photo of a camouflaged camera. (San Jose Police Department)

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.

Police shared a photo of a camouflaged Wi-Fi device that can be used by burglars to spy on victims. (San Jose Police Department)

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.

San Jose authorities said surveillance trends have been identified in the city. (Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“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.

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.