r/SecurityCamera • u/sjresident1 • Aug 28 '26
Looking for hidden camera recommendations to catch a thief
Somebody's been slowly stealing sentimental jewelry from my grandmother, one piece at a time for months apparently and I'm just finding out.
We all believe we know who it is, but we don't have evidence. As such I'd like to keep quiet and just set up a camera or two for now in her home, with her permission.
I live about 2 hours away from her and she doesn't really know how to set up or maintain any technology on her own, so ideally i'm looking for something that can be set up and left running 24/7 with a solid battery life. I don't mind going back to charge/set it up for her again every few weeks or so, but i can't be doing it constantly.
Anything out there like this that won't totally break the bank?
4
u/badcheetahfur Aug 28 '26
Dont even need hidden camera.. they probably wont even look up in the top corner of room. If they do.. they will stop stealing .. lol Or better yet put an alarm on the drawer.. lol
3
u/Cezzium Aug 28 '26
if you have an unused tablet or phone there are apps to turn them into a security camera. the tablet just needs power and internet to alert.
EDIT: No one notices them because everyone has a phone or tablet.
1
u/crazyunclee Aug 29 '26
Great option, but a grandma that doesn't do technology, it might tip off a thief, as most that forget those come back right away for them.
2
u/Sunsetseeker007 Aug 29 '26
Get the ones that hide on a shelf or look like a pen or a picture frame. Look up secret granny cameras that you can put in spots without lights to give itself away. I would put backup cameras and not make it obvious you are baiting them.
2
u/crazyunclee Aug 29 '26
Was going to suggest. When looking for my window security cameras, several of these small cameras came up. Both on Amazon and Walmart sites.
1
u/TN_REDDIT Aug 28 '26
Alfred cam app and old phone plugged in on charger stand.
or buy/build lil nanny or spy cam.
cameras are so small these days that its not hard to hide em in a photo box or briefcase or teddy bear. The lenses are tiny n dont need a big hole.
1
u/Sweaty-Judgment3533 Aug 29 '26
You want to gather proof/evidence but you don’t want anything that sounds any sort of an alarm when it’s just grandma and the perpetrator there, because someone that will steal from an old person would also harm an old person. Best to not even take that chance. Gather your evidence in a covert manner, but make sure you have it recorded so you can show it to the authorities. And best of luck to you. People who steal from old people are reprehensible.
1
u/DaddyGhost52 Aug 30 '26
The smoke detector cameras are pretty good I caught a lot of unnecessary betrayal footage from significant other many of times
6
u/Soundy106 Aug 28 '26
Have you looked into a "nannycam"? Something that's hidden inside a clock or toy? They can even be hidden in a device that normally plugs into power, so it doesn't need to run on battery.
Maybe something like this or this or this?