Lower Merion Township police say a tiny hidden camera tucked near an Ardmore home has been traced to a transnational theft ring that targets high-end houses, turning a quiet block into the latest front in a globe-spanning burglary operation.
According to 6abc, NYPD officers pulled over a white Kia in New York City and found a burner phone loaded with photos, including images of a home on the 900 block of Stony Lane. Lower Merion detectives headed to the address and discovered a very small camera concealed in bedrock near the property. "It's a very small camera," Police Chief Andrew Block told the station, adding that detectives now have the device in hand and are combing through its footage and data.
Police Say Camera Matches Playbook Of Organized High-Tech Crews
Investigators say the hidden device matches a pattern they have tied to what they call the South American Theft Group, crews that use quick bursts of surveillance to figure out when houses are empty before staging swift break-ins. Similar organized burglary rings across the country have been documented using disguised cameras, WiFi jammers and social-engineering tactics, as reported by FOX 11 Los Angeles. A separate probe in Southern California recovered millions of dollars in stolen luxury items and showed just how lucrative and sophisticated these operations can be, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Neighbors Shaken As Police Push Free Security Checkups
Residents on Stony Lane say the discovery has rattled the block. "Absolutely unbelievable that this is happening on our street," neighbor Cary McClain told 6abc. Lower Merion police say they have identified persons of interest but have not yet made any arrests, and they are urging homeowners to take advantage of the department's free Home Security Assessment. The township program sends Crime Prevention officers to meet with residents for in-person surveys and tailored recommendations to better protect homes from burglars, with appointments and resources listed on the Lower Merion Township site.
Detectives say the investigation is still active and are asking anyone with information, or anyone who spots a suspicious device near a home, to contact the Lower Merion Police Crime Prevention Unit at 610-645-6240. Investigators continue to stress vigilance and recommend that homeowners consider scheduling a free security survey through the township's Home Security Assessment Program.
