Home burglars are using sophisticated new tools, LA police warn

International burglary gangs are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target homes in Los Angeles, including hidden cameras, social media surveillance and Wi-Fi jamming devices designed to disable doorbell cameras, authorities warn.

In recent months, a spate of home burglaries in Los Angeles has left many homeowners on edge. Officials say many of the home burglaries appear to be linked to organized South American crime gangs.

On Wednesday morning, law enforcement officials announced the arrest of seven burglary suspects believed to be connected to several of these recent crimes, bringing some relief to concerned residents.

“These crimes are invasive. They violate people’s sense of security in their own homes, and are often carried out by sophisticated and organized crews, some of which are international,” the spokesperson said. Jim McDonnellchief of the Los Angeles Police Department. “They act quickly, target multiple neighborhoods and cross county lines to avoid detection.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna added: “We are here today to send a very clear message to every victim that we are paying attention, and not only are we paying attention, but we are working in a collective effort… to ensure that these individuals who are doing this are caught.”

Last year alone, 8,453 home burglaries were reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

During the news conference, officials detailed the recent arrests, explained the sophisticated methods burglars use to evade detection, and outlined steps homeowners can take to better protect their property.

Notable arrests have been made

One of the arrested men is 22 years old Kevin Diazhas been linked to more than a dozen burglaries or attempted burglaries in the area since January 2025.

Nathan HochmanLos Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Diaz had been charged with 18 different crimes, including 15 counts of first-degree home invasion.

“Additionally, on four of these occasions, the people were actually in the home. No family should have to experience this… feeling like their sanctuary has been invaded and they now have to barricade themselves in the home,” Hochman said.

Authorities say Diaz is an active member of a South American theft ring. He is being held on $1.4 million bail and faces up to 26 years in prison if convicted.

In a separate arrest in May involving four suspects, burglary task force detectives spotted a suspected U-Haul leaving a residential area and coordinated a traffic stop on a nearby highway. Investigators recovered cash, jewelry, a luxury handbag, a Wi-Fi jamming device, gloves and other burglary tools from the vehicle.

“All four of these people had Colombian nationality [in] organized South American theft groups,” Luna said. “These are highly coordinated burglary crews [that] are increasingly focusing on affluent neighborhoods and often select homes near golf courses, parks, trails and open spaces that provide easier access and escape routes.”

New high-tech tactics that burglars use

Luna says these international theft groups – who often enter the country on 90-day tourist visas – often engage in extensive advance planning and use sophisticated tactics, including online research and surveillance of intended victims.

“Everyone wants to put everything on social media,” says Luna. “If you put that stuff out there, your friends and family aren’t the only ones paying attention. There are people targeting you for expensive handbags, jewelry and other items.”

He also says these crews are placing cameras near homes. “It’s a wooden box wrapped in artificial grass,” he says. “What’s inside is a phone and a camera with extra batteries.”

He says criminals are also using Wi-Fi jamming devices. “The suspects carry it with them to block your camera system and other Wi-Fi devices connected to the cloud,” he says.

Hochman says the criminals often enter homes on the second floor.

“Often they bring ladders or use chairs to get themselves up to a second floor,” he says. “Many of these South American burglars have figured out that while you may be watching the ground floor windows, they will be trying to reach the second floor.”

These burglars often disguise themselves as delivery people.

“One of the techniques that these specific individuals often use is they show up with a DoorDash bag,” says Hochman, who says they also pose as Uber Eats drivers or Amazon workers. “They show up at the Ring camera and say they’re from DoorDash. They’re trying to check if anyone’s home because a lot of times they’re going to target the house where no one is.”

How homeowners can protect themselves

Luna urged residents to take several precautionary measures to better protect their homes and properties from organized burglary crews.

“Actively install and use home security systems and cameras, but preferably wired systems that are less vulnerable,” says Luna. “Make sure doors and windows are secured. Secure valuables in anchored safes. Use lighting and automatic timers to make homes appear occupied.”

He also warned residents against over-sharing holiday plans on social media.

“Please, whatever you do, don’t tell the world you’re in Paris when you live in LA, because it’s not just the people you want to know who know you’re gone,” Luna said. “It’s these individuals who are very sophisticated and use that against you.”

Luna encouraged homeowners to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity, including unknown vehicles, individuals loitering in neighborhoods or drones flying over homes.

He also advised residents to routinely inspect their yards for hidden cameras and Wi-Fi jamming devices.

Meanwhile, Hochman advised homeowners to store ladders safely when not in use so criminals cannot use them to access second-floor windows or balconies.

Warning for potential burglars

Hochman issued a stern warning to organized burglary crews targeting homes in Los Angeles County and neighboring communities.

“If you want to come here for a lawful purpose, if you want to vacation here, if you want to enjoy our beaches, our mountains, our world-class entertainment and sports teams, if you want to spend money in this county or Ventura County, we welcome you with open arms,” Hochman said.

“But if you want to come here and steal from us, if you want to come here and break into our homes, if you want to come here and scare and traumatize our families, I can assure you where you will spend some time, in our prisons and in our prisons, because you will be arrested, prosecuted and punished.”

Hochman added that authorities are committed to prosecuting anyone who comes to the region to commit crimes, regardless of where they come from.

“That’s my message to anyone who thinks they can come into this province from anywhere on this planet and think they can defraud us and commit crimes,” he said. “Here, there’s something else coming up.”