A concerning break-in occurred on Doña Dolores on Friday, May 31, 2024, at approximately 3 PM. The incident highlights the lengths to which burglars are going to disguise their actions and avoid detection. Below is a detailed account of what transpired and some takeaways to help the community remain vigilant.
Details of the Incident:
Timing and Suspicious Vehicles: Two vehicles were seen driving up and down Doña Dolores for an extended period before the robbery. Neither vehicle displayed any company names, a detail that might have otherwise matched the robbers' construction-themed disguise.
Disguise as Construction Workers: The burglars were dressed in construction uniforms, likely to blend in and avoid raising suspicion among neighbors.
Use of Technology to Avoid Detection: The criminals used a signal jamming device to disable the Ring video surveillance system, ensuring no footage of their actions was captured. Signal jamming devices are becoming a growing concern for homeowners relying on Wi-Fi-based cameras. Learn more about Wi-Fi cameras and jamming devices here.
Method of Entry: The robbers went to the rear of the property, jumped a fence, and broke a sliding glass door to gain access to the home.
Alarm Disabled: Despite the alarm sounding upon entry, the burglars located the alarm box, ripped it from the wall, and disabled it to stop the noise from alerting neighbors.
Duration and Loss: The robbers were inside the home for about 15 minutes. They stole irreplaceable personal items that hold great sentimental value to the homeowners.
Organized Criminal Activity
The homeowners were informed that this break-in was likely the work of a Chilean gang believed to operate with approximately 40 members. This gang is notorious for targeting residential neighborhoods in organized and calculated robberies. After committing the crimes, they are believed to return to Chile, making apprehension and prosecution challenging.
Neighbors Unaware
At the time of the break-in, neighbors were outside their homes, but the construction disguises effectively concealed the robbers' true intentions.
Community Awareness and Prevention
This incident underscores the importance of staying alert to unusual activity in our neighborhood. Here are some proactive measures:
Observe and Report Suspicious Vehicles: Cars without company logos or repeated passes on your street may warrant attention. Make a note of license plates, vehicle descriptions, and timings.
Strengthen Surveillance Systems: Consider upgrading to cameras that can resist signal jamming or incorporating offline storage options for recorded footage.
Stay Vigilant: Be cautious when you see workers or individuals in uniforms without proper identification, especially in residential areas.
Know Your Neighbors: Build relationships with those on your street to improve collective awareness of unusual activities.
As a community, staying proactive and informed is essential to deter criminal activity. Let’s work together to ensure the safety and security of Doña Dolores and surrounding areas.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please report it to local authorities immediately. Together, we can make our neighborhood safer.
