Douglas County warns of high-tech burglary ring targeting Asian homes

A well-connected burglary ring has set its sights on the homes of Asian residents in Douglas County, using hidden cameras, tracking devices and other technology to plan break-ins and thefts, according to police.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release Thursday that the ring is believed to operate across the United States and may be part of an organization that deputies referred to as the South American Theft Group.

The release said that, this year in Douglas County, the ring’s activities have resulted in a property loss of $1 million, including cash, jewelry and luxury items.

Besides cameras and tracking devices placed on vehicles to determine when residents are away from home, deputies said other techniques used by the burglars include cutting alarm system cables and jamming wireless internet signals to disable security cameras.

They said burglars have specifically targeted the homes of Asians who own businesses. In one case, the tires of a victim’s vehicle were slashed, preventing them from responding to an active alarm.

“Other distraction tactics at the victim’s businesses have also been used,” deputies wrote. “Upon return, victims discover their homes have been completely ransacked.”

Deputies encouraged residents to securely lock up valuables in a wall or floor safe, proactively report suspicious activity and, for business owners, inspect their vehicles and yards regularly for tracking devices and cameras.

Earlier this week, Arapahoe County law enforcement also warned of burglars targeting multi-million dollar homes in a pattern of crimes similar to thefts committed by South American visitors in Arizona and California in burglary tourism sprees. The suspects in the Arizona and California burglaries also used surveilled their victims and used jamming technology.

Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.