San José and Bay Area Public Safety

San José, California police are warning residents after burglars were caught hiding camouflaged surveillance cameras and a Wi‑Fi device in bushes outside an east‑side home to secretly monitor the occupants before attempting a break‑in. The homeowner discovered a small camera attached to a power bank facing the house after suspects fled; detectives then found a second concealed Wi‑Fi‑powered device nearby and have opened a burglary investigation. SJPD says it has received several recent reports of similar deceptive tactics, including suspects posing as delivery drivers or landscapers, leaving packages to see if they are picked up, and repeatedly driving past homes to determine when they are vacant. Authorities are urging residents to report people ringing doorbells to test if anyone is home, unfamiliar vehicles circling a block and any suspicious devices found outside — and to avoid touching such devices and call police instead. The advisory reflects a broader shift in residential burglary methods toward low‑cost surveillance tech that exploits doorbell‑camera blind spots and predictable routines, and it underscores the need for homeowners to harden perimeter security, vary schedules and coordinate with neighbors.