A NEW YORK WOMAN FOUND A CELLPHONE PARTIALLY BURIED IN HER GARDEN, OFFICIALS ALERT THAT IT WAS USED FOR SURVEILLANCE TO PLAN A BURGLARY. (PHOTO).

 A New York woman found a cellphone partially buried in her garden, officials alert that it was used for surveillance to plan a burglary. 

Mary Kehoe, a resident of the Forest Hills neighborhood in Queens, New York recently made a shocking discovery. While working in her garden, Mary discovered an Android phone covered in black tape with its camera pointing towards her home!

Mary contacted authorities who confirmed Mary's findings and pointed out the phone was connected to a portable charger before being partially buried. All of that alone is alarming.

Police believe the device was being used to watch and survey the home in order to plan a burglary. Authorities have stated there has been a sharp uptick in this sort of illegal surveillance recently with similar devices being found in several different states.  

Police advise homeowners to be vigilant in the face of this growing trend of pre-burglary planning. They advise to occasionally take a look around your yard. They advise you to keep your alarms on at all times. In addition, outside lighting is a big help to dissuade burglars.

As in this case, the camera surveilling the home was only found because the homeowner was gardening. Stay safe!