With Memorial Day weekend coming up, the City of Carlsbad Police Department is reminding residents to take precautions to avoid home burglaries, especially if going out of town.

Earlier this year, undercover detectives and uniformed patrol officers converged on a La Costa neighborhood after investigators developed a lead on a car tied to previous burglaries. Sure enough, three suspects were seen leaving a home that had just been hit. A foot pursuit ensued, and the suspects were apprehended after a short chase. All three were suspected members of a South American group responsible for a rash of residential burglaries.

While newer to Carlsbad, “South American Theft Groups” have been operating throughout the United States for years. They have also been called crime tourists because the thieves typically come from South American countries on tourist visas. Here are some of their patterns:

• Their MO is to target homes in affluent neighborhoods when the residents are out of town, concentrating on the primary bedroom and taking high-end jewelry, accessories and cash.
• Once they have a target, they often case homes during the day to learn their victims’ schedules and look at real estate websites to get a look inside.
• Houses that are backed up against green belts, golf courses, nature preserves and access roads are at a higher risk from these groups.
• Second homes and homes that appear unoccupied due to vacations and holidays are also common targets.
• Suspects often enter homes through the second floor, often by breaking windows or glass doors, and through sliding glass doors on the first floor.
• They use gloves and masks to make it harder to catch them through security cameras, fingerprints and DNA.

When the Carlsbad Police Department began to get reports of increased burglaries last year, they immediately began an intensive investigation. Special enforcement details, license plate readers and surveillance cameras were used to catch the perpetrators and deter further criminal activity. Because of the prevalence of these groups, we are also collaborating regionally and across the nation with other law enforcement agencies. 

Last December, our Police Department hosted a community meeting, and throughout 2024 have visited homeowners associations to spread information about the tactics of these groups and how residents could reduce their chances of being targeted:

Surveillance cameras

• Install surveillance cameras with MULTIPLE angles, including back door coverage (not just doorbell).
• Install surveillance cameras inside your home, including in hallways and living spaces. This footage is helpful during prosecution.

Lighting

• Install floodlights in both the rear and front of the house.
• Light entrances, rear doors and dark areas around your house.
• Equip outdoor light fixtures with a timer or a sensor that automatically turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn.
• Light the inside of your home so you never come home to a dark house.
• The key is making your house look occupied, like someone is at home all the time.

Doors and windows

• If you are out of town, get your neighbors to check on your home routinely.
• Make sure ALL doors are locked and secured, not just the main entrance door.
• Consider getting security film installed on your windows and glass doors. The film strengthens the glass, making it harder and take longer to get into your home. Common brands are NU-VUE and 3M.

Safes

• Small safes are generally easier for suspects to steal.
• Bolt down safes to ground.
• Consider putting a tracking device such as an “air tag” in a smaller safe.

Other Tips

• Request home information to be obscured or taken down from websites (i.e., Google Maps).

Connect with your neighbors

• Get to know your neighbors. Knowing their work schedules, work phone numbers, contracted services (gardeners, nannies, and housekeepers), vehicle information, and vacations.
• Remember, this information helps you and your neighbors establish what is normal so you can take action when something is suspicious. It also gives you valuable resources to help your neighbors when necessary.
• Create a plan for neighborhood communication, such as e-mail groups, newsletters, regular social gatherings, social media private groups and group chats.

Remember, Carlsbad Police is always just a phone call away. Call 9-1-1 to report a crime in progress and the non-emergency line, 442-339-2197, to report suspicious activity.