Southern California residents are being urged to physically inspect their property after the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that organized burglary crews, many tied to illegal South American theft rings, are planting hidden cameras in bushes, flower beds, planters, and landscaping to scout and monitor targeted homes before striking.
The alarming announcement comes after deputies responding to a residential burglary in San Dimas discovered concealed surveillance devices that were actively feeding live video to criminals.
On Tuesday, San Dimas Sheriff’s Station deputies were called to a home break-in.
While investigating, they located a small camera hidden deep in the bushes directly across from the victim’s residence.
The device was wired to a portable hotspot and an external battery pack, allowing the burglars to remotely watch the home in real time.
Approximately one week earlier, a landscaper working in the same neighborhood found a second identical device concealed in hedges he was trimming.
Both cameras were camouflaged with artificial plants, green tape, and surrounding foliage to blend seamlessly into the yard.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a formal “Special Bulletin” titled “Situational Awareness – Be on the Lookout for Hidden Cameras.”
The bulletin includes photos of the recovered devices and where to look for them.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is urging residents to:
Regularly inspect shrubs, planters, flower beds, and landscaping for suspicious devices.
Look for small cameras, wiring, battery packs, or portable hotspots that don’t belong.
Monitor their own security cameras for signs of tampering or jamming.
Report anything suspicious immediately to local law enforcement.
Burglars use the devices to observe resident routines, determine when homes are empty, and even monitor escape routes.
In one instance captured on the bulletin, the suspects used hand radios to coordinate with a getaway driver while a Wi-Fi jammer disabled the homeowners’ own security cameras.
Law enforcement across Southern California has linked the tactic to “South American Theft Groups” (SATG), organized crews, frequently consisting of Chilean, Colombian, or Venezuelan nationals who enter the U.S. on tourist visas or cross illegally and then conduct coordinated daytime burglaries.
WATCH:
Police urging homeowners across Southern California to search around their yards and in the bushes for hidden cameras placed there by illegal alien South American Burglary Rings.
This is what life is like when you live under @GavinNewsom’s sanctuary state laws. pic.twitter.com/9dGmQSKLLP
— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) May 17, 2026
These groups have been operating in the region for years, targeting upscale and suburban neighborhoods with high-value items.
Similar hidden-camera operations have been reported in Torrance, Glendale, Santa Clarita, and other areas, with authorities noting a surge in these sophisticated, low-risk scouting methods.
Sanctuary state policies in California, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, are clearly emboldening criminal networks.
The post Southern California Police Urge Homeowners to Search Their Yards for Hidden Cameras Planted by Illegal Alien Burglary Rings, Thanks to Gavin Newsom’s Sanctuary State Policies (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.