Californians are being urged to check their yards, bushes and flower beds for hidden cameras planted by burglars scouting homes, as local police warn of a rise in such incidents in an upscale Los Angeles suburb.
On May 12, deputies from the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station responding to a residential burglary in the 800 block of Via Gregorio discovered a “concealed surveillance device hidden in the bushes” across from the victim’s home. The apparatus consisted of a hidden camera connected to a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and an external battery pack.
According to the sheriff’s station, a similar device was discovered just one week prior in the same neighborhood. A landscaper trimming hedges near another residence uncovered a mobile phone connected to a power bank, wrapped in green camouflage tape, and masked with artificial foliage.
“Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and be aware of suspicious or hidden cameras that may be placed in or around yards, entryways, or exterior areas of homes,” San Dimas Sheriff’s Station wrote in a Facebook update.
“If you observe anything suspicious or unusual, please report it to local law enforcement immediately. Community awareness helps keep our neighborhoods safe.”
A similar warning against hidden cameras was issued last year after a string of arrests in the Los Angeles suburbs.
What to Look For?
Law enforcement officials note that these surveillance devices are engineered to blend seamlessly into residential landscaping. Homeowners are advised to look for anomalies in the following areas:
Common Hiding Spots: Dense bushes, planters, trees, and flower beds. Devices are frequently wrapped in camouflage tape or artificial leaves to mimic natural vegetation.Purpose: Criminals utilize these continuous feeds to track the daily routines of homeowners, establish when properties are vacant, and identify high-value targets.
To mitigate these risks, authorities recommend that residents:
Conduct Regular Inspections: Routinely check property perimeters and landscaping for unfamiliar objects.Maintain Landscaping: Keep trees and shrubbery manicured to eliminate potential concealment points.Enhance Security Measures: Utilize and monitor personal home security systems while ensuring outdoor areas remain well-lit at night.
If a suspicious device is located, homeowners are instructed to avoid touching or moving it, as it may contain valuable forensic evidence. Instead, contact local law enforcement immediately to document and retrieve the device.
Burglaries Are Down in LA, But Becoming More Sophisticated
Despite reportedly making over 100 arrests linked to residential and commercial burglaries over the last month across Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) say the number of such crimes across the city is down by more than 30 percent, this year, compared to the same period in 2025.
“Burglaries in the city are down over 30 percent, reflecting the effectiveness of our proactive enforcement and prevention strategies. However, if you are the victim of a burglary, the 30% reduction does not quite resonate,” Deputy Chief Gerald Woodyard said in a statement last week, per NBC Los Angeles.
But burglaries are becoming more targeted and sophisticated in the city.
In March, the LAPD said it had unmasked a sophisticated group of “burglary tourists” flying from South America to the city to rob wealthy residents—a phenomenon they said has grown over the past five years.
“The number of crimes tied to these kinds of crews are way, way up,” Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told the Los Angeles Times.
“I can tell you that we have a significant increase in burglaries from organized groups that are outside this country, that are coming into the country, and they are targeting high-end residents,” LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said at a Police Commission meeting in March.
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