Posted on 05/01/2025 8:00:26 PM PDT by george76
A Southern California homeowner discovered a hidden camera disguised with fake grass on his property — part of a growing trend in which burglars plant covert cameras in yards in the area to monitor homes and track when residents leave...
George Nguyen, who is a homeowner in West Covina, California, was watering the hedges in his front yard after dark on Friday (April 25) when he noticed a light coming from one of the bushes.
However, when Nguyen investigated further, he discovered that the light was coming from a well-hidden device — with a lens and a green light — facing his home camouflaged in fake grass. He saw the lens and the green light.
Nguyen covered the lens with his thumb and moved the camera, which he estimated to be 10 inches long and about 4 inches high, so it faced away from his home. He then called West Covina Police immediately. When cops responded to the scene, they confirmed that it was a secret camera that was being used to monitor the comings and goings at Nguyen’s house.
Police have not yet identified the suspect or suspects who hid the camera in the Nguyens’ front yard in West Covina.
A Growing Trend for Hidden Cameras..
The use of hidden surveillance devices by burglars is becoming an increasingly common tactic — not just in West Covina, but across various parts of Southern California — as criminals plant covert cameras in yards to monitor homes and track when residents come and go.
...
another camera was discovered in the area last month, positioned to face a home. Authorities are still investigating whether the two incidents are connected and no arrests have been made. While it differed in type from the camera found in Nguyen’s home, it raised similar concerns.
ABC News also reports that in the past year, a camera disguised as a flower was found in Chino Hills, and cameras camouflaged into landscaping were found in Alhambra, Santa Barbara, and Lost Hills.
Law enforcement agencies say these covert devices are increasingly favored by burglars looking to surveil homes and determine when they’re unoccupied. According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, many of these cases have been tied to so-called “burglary tourism” groups from South America, who travel to the region specifically to commit crimes.
“We believe it’s consistent with burglary crews operating in Southern California,” Sgt. Steven Spagon of West Covina Police Department tells San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
If I were to do this I’d just use an IP camera with a SIM card that transmits over the cellular network like any other phone. Yeah there’s RF emission but an ODFM bitstream will be very difficult to direction-find in the presence of all other multi-subcarrier radiators.
This sort of thing is part of why I have PoE cameras and a local NVR, even though this is Mayberry, fundamentally.
The South American tourists contacted Goodman law offices, and a federal district court judge enjoined Mr. Ngyuen from removing the camera.
Could it be possible, that the government can plant hidden cameras too?
They are cell enabled.
Somebody would lose the camera.
I’d be disassemblong the thing to see what I could figure out - USB or ethernet connector or wifi, download who it’s calling, the IP address it’s connecting with...
Be Fun.
Could it be possible, that the government can plant hidden cameras too?
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The gov’t will come calling, asking for it back.
Good for you but I got 2 1/2 dozen eggs in my Frig!!!
Shoot, shovel, and shut up.
“I am hoping someone will break in to my home and steals all the furniture. I want to buy new furniture”
I’m sire Alice Kramden had that thought many times
They’ll steal your peace of mind if nothing else.
One would think that if a bad guy goes through all of the trouble of buying the camera, getting power to the camera, having a data link for the camera, and placing the camera, then perhaps, just perhaps, it would be a good idea to cover up that bright green light that tells the world that an active camera is present.
The invaders may take out their frustration by destroying your property. That can get expensive in a hurry. But vandalism can be repaired.
Are you home at the time? If you are lucky, the invaders will run away immediately. Burglars usually do not want to confront residents.
If you are unlucky and the invaders are inclined to robbery? Well, that story has a bunch of different endings. None of them are good for you, even when the self-defense thing works out. Bon chance!
The best answer is to keep criminals in prison for much longer times. Criminals can't do crimes while they are in jail. And they always wind up in jail eventually. The longer they stay there, the less crime we have to endure. It's an expensive use of taxpayer money, and worth every dollar
Paying extra attention when "something doesn't look right" is always a great idea.
Rib eyes and t-bones...
I think I need your address... strictly for research purposes.
A new one to me. Not surprising.
Air BNB are open about cameras in all facilities - to keep people from renting the place as a party house, trashing it in the process.
Read the full contract carefully to avoid ugly surprises.
I would install a motion detector set to trigger a cell phone call with video to your phone. The moment I someone breaking into the house, I would call the police.
The thieves would poison your animals. Don’t put anything past them.We are living in a jungle.
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