SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KABC) — A so-called “camouflage camera” was discovered hidden in the front yard of a Santa Barbara home, part of a disturbing trend happening across Southern California.
According to the sheriff’s office, the camera was discovered by landscapers on April 16.
The camera kit, consisting of a battery pack, cord, camera and memory card, was covered with camouflage tape and vegetation, rendering it nearly invisible except for the center of the lens. Authorities said similar cases have been reported by law enforcement agencies across the state.
“The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office would like to make the public aware of this incident and urge anyone who spots a similar device to contact police immediately,” the sheriff’s office said.
Hidden camera found outside Alhambra home after attempted robbery
Similar crimes using hidden cameras have been reported recently across Southern California and may be linked to a crime known as “pirate tourism,” in which authorities say people from other countries enter the United States posing as tourists and targeting neighborhoods to commit robbery.
Earlier this month, Alhambra police found a hidden camera planted in bushes facing the direction of someone’s house. The victim’s alarm company had called police earlier that day about attempts to open a kitchen window.
Photos of the devices found in Santa Barbara County were shared so residents know what to look out for.
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