Westminster police have issued an urgent warning about a troubling new burglary trend targeting small business owners at their homes. This trend, which emerged toward the end of last year, involves criminals following business owners from their workplaces to their residences, then breaking into their homes. This pattern of burglary has been increasingly noticed and is causing concern among local authorities and community members.
Detective Adam Lanning from the Westminster Police Department explained that the pattern of these crimes became evident when victims, who were small business owners, reported suspicious activities related to their businesses. “It started a little bit towards the end of last year,” Lanning noted. “When I was interviewing some victims, they started saying, ‘Hey I own a small business, I’m wondering if this has anything to do with it,’ and then we started putting the pieces together, and then it just evolved even further.” This led to the realization that small business owners were being specifically targeted.
The burglars employ sophisticated surveillance methods to track their victims. They use hidden cameras disguised as elements of the environment, such as shrubbery, to monitor the daily routines of their targets. These covert cameras are strategically placed to watch the business owners’ movements and determine when they are away from their homes. “They actually use tracking systems or cameras that they make to look like shrubbery. They’ll tape up things and hide it in the bush. They’ll watch them, and once they’re not home, they’ll go in and break into the home and steal lots of jewelry, lots of cash,” Lanning detailed.
In response to this growing threat, Westminster police have taken proactive measures to alert the community. On Wednesday, they issued a crime alert on social media and conducted outreach to businesses across the area to raise awareness about this specific crime trend. Detective Lanning reported that there have been at least eight confirmed cases related to this burglary pattern, though it appears to be a widespread issue affecting various parts of the metropolitan area. “We don’t know exactly how they identify a target, but once they do, they usually follow them from the place of business to their home,” he explained.
The trend has predominantly affected Hispanic and Asian small businesses, but authorities emphasize that no one is immune to these targeted burglaries. In one notable case, burglars stole over $50,000 in cash from a local business. Carmen Landin, who works at a Mexican restaurant in Westminster, shared her concerns about the recent crime wave. While her workplace has not been directly targeted by the recent trend, they have experienced previous break-ins. “It was about two months ago that I think it happened,” Landin recounted. “They broke the door two times. They took the cash, the little cash we had.” Landin and her colleagues remain vigilant and cautious, understanding the need to protect their business from further attacks.
Detective Lanning highlighted the unusual and alarming nature of these burglaries. Unlike random thefts, these crimes involve extensive planning and surveillance. “It is unusual. Usually, a lot of times it’s random. Some people just pick a neighborhood and kind of pick a place, but they’re targeted. They’re watched. It could be up to a day, a week, a month,” he said. The exact duration of the surveillance period before a burglary occurs is still unclear, but the meticulous planning involved is evident.
Westminster police have already made several arrests in connection with these crimes, including apprehending a group from Romania. However, they suspect that other individuals may be involved in similar activities. As part of their strategy to combat this trend, the police are urging community members to be proactive. “We’re asking the community to be very proactive. Keep an eye around the neighborhood,” Lanning advised. He encouraged business owners to remain vigilant, suggesting that they should observe their surroundings carefully and report any suspicious activity immediately. Additionally, business owners are advised to vary their routes home to avoid being tracked by potential burglars.
Overall, the Westminster Police Department is taking significant steps to address this troubling burglary trend. By raising awareness and encouraging community vigilance, they aim to protect local business owners from these targeted crimes. The cooperation of residents and business owners is essential in preventing further incidents and ensuring the safety and security of the community.