CHULA VISTA, Calif. - A Chula Vista family warned its neighbors and police about some suspicious men who showed a lot of interest in their home security device Thursday evening.
Gordon told 10News that he recently installed the Ring, a doorbell that has a built-in camera and microphone that links wirelessly to your smartphone. He said a recent rash of porch thefts, vandalism and scams in the eastern Chula Vista neighborhood spurred the purchase.
"Make sure that we know who's coming at the door and what's coming at the door," said Gordon.
The Ring is motion-activated, and on Thursday night, the device captured two men approach Gordon's front door. The men in the video appeared to be making an evening sales call.
"We don't know these people and we weren't expecting anything else," said Gordon.
However, the man who is leading the conversation appears to be teaching the other man about the Ring. The Ring recorded him pointing at the device as he said, "Anywhere in the world, you can ring the doorbell, they can be in Japan and they can pick it up."
"I have to say no crime was actually committed," said Gordon. "But when you hear them talking about ways to get around security features, that kind of talk should raise a red flag."
"I never ring that doorbell," said the man in the video.
10News concealed their faces because they did not commit a crime and Chula Vista police are not actively searching for the duo.
Gordon was still worried and gave police a copy of the video because the man leading the discussion in the video also said, "Any time you see a door that has the Ring, don't touch it."
The man knocks on the door, and then the two men leave because no one is home. Gordon said he was concerned about the command to not touch the Ring.
Chula Vista police Lt. Fritz Reber said petty thefts and scams are on the rise, especially during the holidays.
"It's happening widespread and there's really no way to protect yourself 100 percent," said Reber.
He added security systems like the Ring are wise investments.
"It not only helps to catch them after the fact, but it also helps to deter them in the future," Reber told 10News.
Gordon told 10News the men walked away without doing anything malicious.
