On December 10, 2025, an article in the Orange County Register described the arrest of seven suspects that engaged in a home invasion robbery that occurred in Irvine at 3:30am on September 23, 2025. The perpetrators held the occupants at gunpoint and taped their hands behind their back and duct taped their mouths shut.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event. Sophisticated thieves are active using technology and physical surveillance to target upscale and high net worth homes. Most of the thieves are South American gang members.

The thieves frequently sit in parking lots outside of jewelry stores or upscale grocery stores to identify a target. They are focused on expensive vehicles and patrons who are wearing expensive jewelry. Once they spot a target, they follow the victim home to determine if the home is accessible and what detection electronics are in place. The thieves then use drones to surveil the location to track the occupants to set timelines and routes to escape once they burglarize the home. If the home has an alarm system, they use cyber techniques to hack the system to disengage the cameras.  The thieves then use a decoder to determine if they can open the garage door at the targeted home.

Thieves are extremely busy at this time of the year because during the Christmas season people buy expensive gifts such as electronics or jewelry which are easy items to fence for profit.

The latest F.B.I. statistics from the Crime Data Explorer revealed home burglaries for December 2024 totaled 66,678 a 10% jump from December 2023.

How do you prevent being a target for these sophisticated thieves?

First, have a professional security agent conduct a security & risk vulnerability assessment. A professional will identify areas where cameras and alarm systems should be installed with a backup system in place in the event the electronic system is hacked and compromised.

Second, place intrusion lighting at specific areas around the house and in the yard to discourage an attempt burglary or home invasion.

Third, develop a sense of security awareness by being aware of your surroundings and anything unusual such as a surveillance when you are driving home. If you feel suspicious, do not return home but drive to the nearest police station.

Fourth, join a neighborhood watch program so your neighbors become extra eyes on your property. Thieves also monitor social media, so it becomes imperative that you do not send out where you are at if you are away from your home on vacation.

Fifth, a security professional will identify an area in your home where a safe room can be developed. The safe room should have a reinforced door and no windows. Frequently, a walk-in closet can be used as a safe room. In the event your home is invaded immediately go into the safe room and use your cell phone to call 911 to get the police to respond. Be as calm as you can be and describe in detail what is occurring. If you saw the intruder, is there more than one thief and what are they wearing. What gender or ethnic group and how tall and your best guess how much they weigh. Do not confront the thief or thieves. You should consider keeping a gun in the safe room for protection in the event the perpetrators access the safe room. This is your last measure to safeguard your family from harm.

Lastly, consider getting a trained dog such as a German shepherd or other breed that will alert you to a break in and may attack the perpetrators that will enable you and your family enough time to enter the safe room and securely lock the reinforced door.

While some of these measures may seem to be extreme, you should consider the recommendations to secure your castle. If thieves perceive your home is fortified with sophisticated alarm systems with a watchdog, they will move on to a different target that is more vulnerable.

Talon offers to survey your home to reinforce your protection from sophisticated thieves. Please call 714-434-7476 to schedule an appointment.