In what is becoming a growing concern for law enforcement agencies across Southern California, authorities announced another hidden camera was discovered outside a family’s home.
This one was located in Santa Barbara County near Goleta this past April.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the camera was discovered by gardeners working at a home on the 200 block of Via El Encantador. The camera was buried in a landscaped area in the front yard, pointing in the direction of the single family home and hidden with camouflage tape and plants.
“The device consists of a battery pack, power cord and a camera with a memory card. These items were processed for evidence and booked for retention,” said Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation has been ongoing since the device was recovered on April 16, but following reports of hidden cameras being placed at homes across Southern California, the Sheriff’s Office decided to go public with the discovery.
“The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office would like the public to be aware of this incident and encourage anyone who finds a similar device to immediately report it to law enforcement,” Zick said in a news release.
A photo of the camera was provided by the Sheriff’s Office in hopes to helping residents “know what to look for.”
Anyone who finds similar devices around their property is urged to report it to law enforcement immediately.
Hidden camera have also been found in Alhambra and Garden Grove.
In May, Glendale police arrested four Colombian nationals who are accused of running a “burglary tourism” operation that involved the use of camouflage cameras.
