TALEGA TOWN HALL - - ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S PRESENTATION RE TALEGA BURGLARIES

                             September 21, 2022

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OC SHERIFF’S PRESENTATION:

• Recent burglaries in Talega may be a South American Theft Group—very large enterprise - - but this has yet to be confirmed
• The theft crew conducts surveillance of neighborhoods- -they watch for patterns of life. Gave example of a woman who walked her dog everyday at the same time - - thieves struck her house while she was walking her dog. Sheriff recommends changing daily schedules
• Theft crews range from 3-10 people. They are covered from head to toe to evade being identified- - fingerprints not likely available as a result.  Burglary is usually completed in 6-10 minutes. The burglaries have occurred at various times - - from the afternoon to midnight.  Typically, a different theft crew strikes each time they target a neighborhood
• The thieves park off site and use two-way radios. Gave example of one theft crew parking in San Juan Capistrano and hiking to the targeted property via a hiking trail
• Typically enter properties from the rear yard - -from greenbelts, trail areas - -enter through second floor balconies because some homes don’t have security sensors on second floor windows. They smash the glass on second floor entry areas.  Also enter from garage entry areas. The thieves know how to escape motion sensor alarms. Sheriff recommends glass break alarms, shatter sensors. Also install security window film on all windows - is shatter resistant. Keep exterior lights on from sundown to sunrise.  Install motion sensor lighting.
• Once they obtain access to the [property, they look for safes, cash, jewelry, high end handbags, etc. Per the Sheriff’s Office - - if you have a security safe, bolt it to the floor.  Even the very large safes are being lifted over balconies.
• If you have a video surveillance system - - know how to recover the surveillance footage!!
• OC Sheriff Air Support is checking greenbelt/trail areas for any unusual activities. Talega cameras have also been helpful to gather information.  San Clemente will soon have a drone available
• Presume that the thieves are armed. Homes have been broken into while someone was in the house, but the thieves left when they discovered someone was on-site.

REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY - -CALL THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT ANY CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 911

      OC SHERIFF’S Non-Emergency Number (949) 770-6011

      Dial 191 - - to get through immediately to a call taker