Burglars pose as gardeners to target Asian business owners, California police say

Police in Southern California are warning residents of a trend in which burglars posing as gardeners or landscapers target homes of Asian business owners.

The thieves follow owners of businesses outside Torrance home to their gated communities to case their residences for future burglaries, police said in a news release.

Three to four men posing as landscapers later burglarize the homes, which frequently contain large amounts of cash, Torrance police said.

The men drive “late model minivans and SUVs,” police said.

They are responsible for “multiple residential burglary incidents sharing key elements” in recent weeks, the release said.

Police urged residents to be alert for strangers or other unusual activity in their neighborhoods and to watch for vehicles that follow vehicles through security gates.

Officers also advised looking for outsiders trying to seem like they belong in the area, “such as gardeners (most complexes contract with one company for routine work), food delivery, couriers, subjects wearing reflective vests, subjects carrying clipboards, subjects using ladders and individuals knocking on a door(s) asking for someone by name who does not live there.”

Police urged residents to call 911 if they spot what appears to be an imminent crime or 310-328-3456 for more information.

This story was originally published December 6, 2021 at 10:18 AM with the headline "Burglars pose as gardeners to target Asian business owners, California police say."