ARDMORE, Pa. (WPVI) — Police in Lower Merion Township say a hidden camera discovered near a home has been linked to a sophisticated theft ring believed to be responsible for numerous burglaries across the Main Line in recent years.<\/p>\n
The camera was found along the 900 block of Stony Lane after Lower Merion police received a call Tuesday night from the New York Police Department, according to Lower Merion Township Police Chief Andrew Block.<\/p>\n
Police said NYPD officers stopped a white Kia in New York City, and recovered a burner phone from individuals inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n
“They informed us that they had stopped a vehicle, a white Kia, in New York City. While they were working with the individuals in the car, they located what’s known as a burner phone,” Block said.<\/p>\n
Investigators said images found on the phone showed a home on Stony Lane. Officers were immediately dispatched to the address, where they located a small camera concealed in bedrock near the property.<\/p>\n
“They located the small camera in bedrock that had been there. The camera was recovered. Detectives have the camera. It’s a very small camera. Even if you were walking along the side of the road, we don’t think you would recognize the camera or see it,” Block said.<\/p>\n
Authorities believe the device was placed by a crime ring known to law enforcement as the South American Theft Group, or SATG. Police believe members of the group use hidden cameras to monitor residents’ movements and determine when homes are unoccupied before carrying out burglaries.<\/p>\n
The group has been connected to dozens of burglaries in the region in recent years, according to police.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a little over a year since there’s been any activity with the SATG group… This group moves in, they’re highly trained, usually in and out of a house within five minutes,” Block said.<\/p>\n
The discovery has unsettled residents in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
“Absolutely unbelievable that this is happening on our street,” said resident Cary McClain.<\/p>\n
McClain said the neighborhood has experienced vehicle thefts in the past, but he was shocked to learn a hidden camera had allegedly been used to surveil a home.<\/p>\n
“It’s scary to think that somebody from New York is coming here and they’re basically in your backyard, surreptitiously looking, potentially in your home,” McClain said.<\/p>\n
Police are encouraging residents to take advantage of the department’s free home security assessments. Investigators say persons of interest have been identified in the case, but no arrests have been made.<\/p>\n
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