Hidden camera found planted outside Alhambra home after recent burglary attempt

ALHAMBRA, Calif. (KABC) -- Police in Alhambra made a shocking discovery while responding to an attempted burglary - a hidden camera planted in the bushes, facing someone's home.

Officers responded to the home in the 1900 block of S. Primrose Avenue Monday night. They said the victim's neighbor found the camera in the bushes, covered with leaves.

Earlier in the day, the victims' alarm company had notified them about an attempt to open their kitchen window.

"They are very good with their maintenance. They are always out there doing their watering and she discovered it," said Ruth Pedroza about the neighbors. "It was aiming toward the house across the street, so it's kind of scary that people are actually planting to make an attempt to do something."

Police said this is the first time something like this has happened in Alhambra.

"Unfortunately, camouflage cameras are a tactic being used in residential burglaries," said police in a Facebook post. "These cameras are strategically placed in discrete areas, such as bushes, to allow thieves to gather information about homeowners' daily routines to burglarize their homes."

"It's a very safe area, but now you are starting to see this," said former Alhambra Mayor David Mejia. "I told my son, 'Hey, we have to get one of those metal detectors. We have to check our property.'"

Residents are being asked to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Alhambra Police Department.

Similar hidden-camera crimes

Similar crimes involving hidden cameras have been reported across Southern California recently, and could possibly be connected to what's known as "burglary tourism," which police say is when people from other countries enter the U.S. under the guise of tourism so they can target neighborhoods to commit burglary.

Last month, a camera and a battery pack were found in a flowerbed outside of a Lost Hills home.

A similar camera connected to two battery packs was discovered in a bush outside a Garden Grove residence.

"I've been hearing about this before in other cities and other communities, and it was very concerning. I just never thought it would happen here," said an Alhambra resident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.