Placer Sheriff investigating hidden camera found at North Auburn home

The Placer County Sheriff's Office is asking residents to be aware after a hidden camera was found at a North Auburn residence on Dec. 19. The Sheriff's Office confirmed the discovery marks the first known case of this type of surveillance equipment being found in Placer. Detectives are reviewing footage captured to determine whether it is connected to other incidents. The camera, disguised with fake leaves to blend into nearby bushes, was found while the Sheriff's Office followed up on a recent investigation. The Sheriff's Office confirmed the device was powered by an external battery pack, allowing it to remain in place for extended periods of time. "Because detectives identified this device before a crime occurred, this proactive work may have prevented another resident from becoming a victim," the Sheriff's Office said Tuesday morning. According to the Sheriff's Office, the county has seen several high-dollar residential burglaries in communities such as Granite Bay, Loomis and Roseville, which often result in five- and six-figure losses. It is believed, the Sheriff's Office noted, many of these crimes are linked to South American Theft Groups (SATG), which are loosely affiliated criminal networks whose members originate from South American countries. Three individuals linked to the criminal network were arrested in November after targeting customers at Safeway in North Auburn. The Sheriff's Office shared SATG-affiliated suspects are known to conduct extensive pre-surveillance to include in-person surveillance and online research, signal jammers to disrupt electronic communications, fake identities and stolen vehicles and hidden cameras placed in yards or landscaping to monitor daily routines. "If you notice unfamiliar objects in bushes, landscaping or near your home that appear out of place, especially items that resemble cameras or electronic devices, do not touch them," the Sheriff's Office stated. "Report suspicious activity or devices to local law enforcement immediately. Your awareness is a critical part of preventing these crimes."