Fairfax County Police said three men arrested and accused of taking part in a high-tech burglary ring are part of a growing trend that’s spreading across the country.
Investigators say the suspects used devices designed to block Wi-Fi and cell phone signals, cutting off surveillance cameras and video doorbells meant to catch them in the act.
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Security experts warn that the tactic is a reminder that home defenses need constant updating.
“Technology just gets better, and then newer technology comes out, the bad guys find a way to block that, and then you keep going,” said Kim Hartman, CEO of Surveillance Secure.
Police said similar technology was used by a burglary crew that was broken up in Glendale, California, last year, and in Abington Township, Pennsylvania, just two weeks ago.
For Andy Chen of Kingstowne, the warning hits close to home. His family’s house was burglarized last week.
Fairfax County Police said the three men arrested in that case have warrants in multiple states, and police are looking for links to other burglaries in the area.
“The whole point of having security cameras and having that system embedded into our house is to prevent this from happening,” Chen said.
Hartman said homeowners can still take steps to stay ahead of criminals.
The steps include regularly changing passwords and updating Wi-Fi and computer equipment. He also urges homeowners to install the latest firewalls and security patches, and to hardwire security cameras whenever possible to reduce reliance on wireless connections.
Experts also point out that devices exist to detect signal jammers, and professional security companies can help identify vulnerabilities before criminals do.
Hartman suggests frequent testing for alarms and security systems, rather than treating them as “set it and forget it.”
“It’s like a home generator,” Hartman said. “Use it every month. Make sure it works—same with your security system.”