DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — A sophisticated group of thieves has been targeting the homes of Asian business owners living in Douglas County, according to local authorities.

Thieves strike while victims are at work, often out of county, in the Denver metro area.

Law enforcement officials say the suspects use sophisticated tactics to track their victims’ activity before the robbery, following them from their workplace, placing trackers on their vehicles or placing hidden cameras in their yards to determine when the homes They are unoccupied.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

In one case, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the tires on the victim’s vehicle were slashed at work, preventing them from responding to the activated alarm.

The main targets are cash, jewelry and high-end handbags.

“A lot of Asian businesses keep a lot of cash at home. It’s kind of a cultural norm for Asian businesses to keep cash at home rather than in a bank. It’s actually what got them through Covid,” said Fran Campbell , from Colorado’s Asian. Chamber of Commerce.

Detectives believe this group operates throughout the United States and that there may be multiple groups active across the country. They could also be part of the South American Robbery Group (SATG).

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

The sheriff’s office revealed that losses from these thefts in Douglas County alone have totaled nearly $1 million so far this year.

In a Friday news release, officials provided some advice for homeowners:

• Protect your valuables: Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home. Store expensive jewelry and other valuables in a safe that is secured to a shelf, wall or floor, preventing them from being carried along with its contents.

• Report suspicious activity: Be vigilant and report suspicious behavior in your neighborhood, especially around the homes of business owners. Suspects also often conduct pre-surveillance days before the actual robbery.

• Check for tracking devices: Business owners should routinely inspect their yards and vehicles for hidden cameras and tracking devices.