'Alarming' Technology Used In Attempted Morris County Burglary, Police Say

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Police said an international theft group may be active in Morris County, based on the technology used in an attempted break-in Monday morning.

A Florham Park resident who heard a loud noise outside his home that morning went to investigate, but found that he could not use his surveillance cameras or cell phone, police said. This indicates that the suspect was using a Wi-Fi jamming device, which Chief Joseph Orlando said was a troubling development.

"The information regarding this incident is concerning due to the advanced sophistication of criminal activity," he said in a statement.

Orlando said the evidence suggests that the suspect is part of an organized group, mostly people of South American descent, which uses hidden surveillance to track their intended targets, even putting concealed cameras inside landscaping plants or statues.

These theft "groups" typically travel in groups of three and park getaway vehicles nearby, while keeping an eye on the area around a targeted home, Orlando said. And while the groups themselves are not new to the area, he said, the Wi-Fi jammers are.

"While Wi-Fi jamming devices are not new to the criminal underworld, it is the first we have seen or heard of such devices being utilized in Morris County," Orlando said. "This is an alarming technological advance in the criminality being employed by these groups."

Authorities have reported similar technology being used in cities including Phoenix, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles.

Orlando said that the resident was in the basement when he heard a noise around 11:30 a.m., and went to check his security camera. He was able to see someone trying to break in to his home, but shortly later the cameras stopped working and his cell phone lost all service.

The male suspect ran away when he realized the homeowner was there, but since the resident couldn't use his cell phone, he "ran into the street seeking the assistance of a pedestrian in the area who was able to call 911," the chief said.

Florham Park police were in the area, and on the scene in under a minute, Orlando said. Madison Police and the Morris County Sheriff's Office helped in the search, but officials did not find the suspect.

The suspect was described as "a Hispanic male wearing tan/beige pants with a dark shirt and facemask," per police.

Detectives are investigating the attempted burglary, and ask any residents with surveillance systems in the Lincoln Avenue, Cathedral Avenue, and Rockwood Road vicinities to look through the footage for any sightings of the suspect or any suspicious vehicle on Monday between 11 a.m. and noon.

Those with any more information, or possible footage of the suspect, may contact Detective Sergeant Pietropinto at 973-410-5424.

As officials are continuing to investigate the incident, Orlando said that for now the best strategy to combat a Wi-Fi jamming device is to have a landline telephone, and hard-wire surveillance camera systems into your home.

"Furthermore, regularly inspect your landscaping for any potential disguised surveillance devices and contact the Police Department immediately if locating the same," he said.

Police said the potential surveillance items include fake planters, tree stumps, or utility boxes, or even