1 week Ago By Josh DuBose
A West Covina homeowner is on high alert after finding a hidden camera, which was camouflaged with what appears to be artificial turf, neatly tucked inside his shrubs and facing his home. The scary discovery was made Friday evening as George Nguyen, who lives on East Cortez Street, was watering his hedges. In a social media post, Nguyen said he spotted a green light in the bushes and couldn’t make out what it was until he kicked it, noticed it had weight and realized it was a hidden camera facing his home.
The homeowner said he immediately called police and turned the camera toward the wall. West Covina is not the only Southern California city where these ominous hidden cameras have been located. In late March, a camera was found in the yard of a San Marino home, while another was located across from a West Hills home that had already been burglarized.
A hidden camera camouflaged in what appears to be artificial turf found outside home in West Covina on April 25, 2025. (viewer image)A hidden camera camouflaged in what appears to be artificial turf found outside home in West Covina on April 25, 2025. (viewer image)Earlier the same month, a woman spotted a camera outside of her parent’s Encino home and just days before that, a resident in Chino Hills found a portable power supply that led to a hidden camera system.
Others have been located in Temecula and Arcadia. Swarm of teens physically, verbally harass couple, loot Southern California RalphsLaw enforcement officials say hidden cameras are becoming increasingly popular among thieves in Southern California who use them to spy on properties to determine when residents are home or away. Last May, four Colombian nationals were arrested in Glendale in an alleged “burglary tourism” operation involving hidden cameras.
Similar cases have been reported in Temecula, Arcadia, Garden Grove, and other communities. To avoid becoming a victim, police in Chino Hills recommend the following tips: Keep your property well-lit. Ask a trusted gardener to inspect trees and bushes for hidden devices routinely.
Have a video surveillance system and review it for suspicious activity. Secure your home’s Wi-Fi with a strong password to prevent unauthorized access. As for Nguyen, he said police responded to his home, took a report and the cameras, in hopes of learning if they are linked to any other open or closed cases.
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