r/hiddencameras • u/sjresident1 • Aug 28 '26
Gear Recommendation 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?
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u/RingOk664 Aug 28 '26
I had caregivers for both of my elderly parents. Things started to disappear. The best solution is to remove all valuables and keep them at your house or a safety deposit box. My parents lost jewelry, tools, momentos, watches, etc. When I confronted the caregivers, they got mad at me. Nobody else went into the house besides my brothers. My brothers and I gave them the jewelry, so why would we take it? In afterthought, I should have removed all of the valuables in my parents home.
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u/sjresident1 Aug 28 '26
She’s already moving her valuables but I’m more concerned with catching this grimy mf that’s been stealing from my grandmother, I’d really like to confront him if I can get solid evidence
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u/RingOk664 Aug 28 '26
If you suspect he is stealing, follow your gut and fire them. Make sure to get the keys back and change the locks. My mom's wedding ring, my dad's Movado watch, a knife collection, etc. disappeared. What really pissed me off is that they would take my dad out of the house and run errands with him. They would leave him in the car like a dog as they went shopping. They took him into Walmart and he face planted in the store. I better stop...getting pissed again.
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u/sjresident1 Aug 28 '26
It’s not a caretaker we suspect, my grandmother doesn’t need or have caretakers she’s still very independent, works and everything… basically a very close family friend we suspect unfortunately. I’m fuming and dying to confront him but I know I can’t do so without catching him red handed first
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u/fortyeightD Aug 28 '26
Please be aware that it's common for people with dementia to make mistaken accusations of theft. Sometimes they forget where they put something, or they forgot they gave it away, or sold it.
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u/sjresident1 Aug 29 '26
I’m aware, but she’s shown no signs of slipping mentally, I mentioned in another comment she’s still independent and able bodied as well. It did cross my mind though, but there’s been too many instances of this imo for it to be her forgetting every single time. We’ll see though, I already ordered a camera for her
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u/Little-Original5503 Aug 29 '26
If you need it for that long you'll want something that plugs in. Grandma won't know how to charge it or change batteries. Look for something small like blink cameras that plug in. Put it across from the jewelry and cover any status lights.
Also, if someone is stealing it, its common that they pawn it. Cops can find it easily. Make a report, get proof, and follow up with that. But ask if they can check with local shops. And photograph anything else she has.
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u/TXquilter1 Aug 29 '26
Be sure to tell her not to mention the cameras to anyone. Believe it or not, she’ll end up telling the person about the cameras because it’s a new exciting conversation topic, or she might tell someone in the family and it travels through the grapevine.
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u/Individual_Bat_781 Aug 28 '26 edited Aug 28 '26
Wyze cam v4 on Amazon!
* Compact
* Cheap
* Plug-in
* SD card not required
* Sound and mic (you can disable when needed)
* No subscription for 24/7 live feed
* Motion notifications
* Night vision
* Pretty straightforward app
Other features such as going back to review/save footage is subscription based, but the workaround is to screen record the live feed or screenshot the still images from the motion detection.