By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-07 17:03:27 | Updated at 2024-12-23 15:28:47
2 weeks ago
A California town is on edge as burglars have started posing as gardeners in the latest outrageous tactic to target homes.
The suspects were captured on security footage breaking into a home in Ranco Cucamonga on Thursday at around 4.20pm.
An unidentified neighbor said that the two masked men were dressed as gardeners or workers in an attempt to gain unsuspecting access to a victim's home.
One of the suspects, who was wearing an orange shirt and a tan bucket hat, opened the garage door from inside of the house. While the other, dressed in shorts and a similar hat, backed into the driveway in a black SUV and opened the trunk.
'It's a black Mazda,' an unidentified neighbor added. 'I can't say that I've seen it before.'
The neighbor told KTLA: 'I believe they were monitoring the residence because of how quickly it happened, how familiar they were, how they were able to get in and out very quickly.'
The pair were then seen lifting what appeared to be a large, heavy safe into the back of the car.
'One of the main reasons why I want to bring attention to this is because I fear that they could strike again or commit similar types of crimes,' they said.
The suspects were captured on security footage breaking into a home in Ranco Cucamonga on Thursday at around 4.20pm, and appeared to be dressed as gardeners in their latest tactic to target homes
A resident of the area for 16 years, Edgar Sumpter, told the outlet there had been numerous burglaries over the past few years. 'I will keep an eye out a little more closely because now that they've tried one house, they'll probably try another one,' he said
A neighbor said: 'I believe they were monitoring the residence because of how quickly it happened, how familiar they were, how they were able to get in and out very quickly'
Edgar Sumpter, a resident of the area for 16 years, told the outlet there had been numerous burglaries over the past few years.
The two men were not recognized by other residents, but concerned neighbors have said they plan to stay watchful for similar activity.
'I will keep an eye out a little more closely because now that they've tried one house, they'll probably try another one,' Sumpter said.
The new tactic comes after another California family were left in shock when they found a hidden camera camouflaged in a bush and pointed directly at their home.
The woman whose house was apparently being watched was alerted to the camera by her neighbor who thought it was trash in a bush.
The woman, known only as Lisa, told KTLA that her neighbor pulled the bag out to find the camera, Lisa said: 'She thought that someone had put trash in her bush, so she went to clear it up. Upon getting closer to the bush, she pulled out a bag and there was a camera with a battery pack.'
The discovery came just one day after Lisa had watched news coverage of four men who were arrested with a similar camera.
All four suspects were identified as Colombian nationals that they believe to be part of an apparent burglary tourism ring.
Glendale PD Sgt. Vahe Abramyan told KTLA: 'They'll commit these crimes, they'll use different identities, things like that and eventually they'll go back to their home country.'
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department released a bulletin warning residents about the theft groups after another camera was found in a flower bed of a Calabasas home.
The bulletin warns that South American Theft Groups (SATG) are often made up of Chilean or Colombian nationals. Cops said that the groups are 'highly organized criminal enterprises' with members often in the US on limited tourist visas.
They have warned homeowners to remain vigilant, conduct regular property inspections, enhance home security measures, and report anything suspicious.
