On September 4, Heena Desai attended a neighborhood watch orientation organized by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department, aimed at combating a troubling surge in home burglaries. This concern arose after at least two homes in her East Cupertino neighborhood of Rancho Rinconada were broken into over the summer, specifically targeting valuable jewelry.
Despite implementing precautionary measures, including cameras and alarm systems, Desai felt uneasy about her home’s security after hearing about how easily burglars bypassed similar deterrents in nearby residences. At the orientation, she repeatedly requested increased police patrols in her area. The sheriff informed her that while constant patrols weren’t feasible, officers could respond to reports of suspicious activity.
Just two days later, while Desai and her husband, Indra, were celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with their daughter in Saratoga, their home was broken into. Burglars made off with over $30,000 in jewelry.
A Pattern of Targeted Burglary
The Desais’ home was the third in a series of burglaries targeting South Asian residences in the Rancho Rinconada neighborhood this summer. In all three incidents, the burglars broke through glass back or patio doors, raiding master bedrooms for jewelry before quickly making their exit.
The first two victims, Mudita Tiwari and Jayshri Yadwadkar, experienced similar break-ins on May 23 and May 30, respectively. Both single mothers and tech executives, Tiwari and Yadwadkar found their homes targeted in broad daylight when they were not present. Yadwadkar lost more than $25,000 in jewelry, while Tiwari reported losing designer handbags and over $10,000 worth of jewelry.
The similarities between the incidents suggest that the burglars meticulously planned their attacks, possibly monitoring the victims’ movements beforehand. In the Desais’ case, the theft occurred around 8:45 PM. Indra Desai learned about the break-in through a security camera alert on his phone shortly after it happened. Although they notified the police, the burglars had already fled the scene by the time the family returned home.
Cultural Impact of Jewelry Theft
In many South Asian families, jewelry holds significant cultural and familial value, often seen as heirlooms rather than mere monetary assets. This cultural attachment leads many to keep their jewelry at home instead of utilizing safety deposit boxes, making South Asian residences attractive targets for thieves.
Reports of similar incidents have surfaced across the East Coast and in the Bay Area. India Currents found numerous posts on the neighborhood app NextDoor from other South Asian residents in Cupertino who reported car break-ins, home burglaries, and even chain-snatching incidents in nearby Saratoga. Between May and July 2024, four Indian jewelry stores in the Bay Area experienced smash-and-grab robberies.
Residents like Desai, Tiwari, and Yadwadkar are increasingly anxious about their safety in Cupertino.
“I’ve lived in this neighborhood since 1998; my girls grew up here, and this neighborhood used to be one of the safest neighborhoods,” Desai shared. “But lately, especially after the robbery at our place, we feel very, very unsafe.”
With the jewelry thefts as a primary concern, many South Asian women in the area are beginning to feel apprehensive about wearing their jewelry in public.
“The things I lost were heirlooms given to me by my grandfather, who’s no longer with us, and by my father, who passed away from COVID,” Tiwari lamented. “There’s no way to replace that value.”
Tiwari also noted the cultural significance of wearing certain jewelry, saying, “Indian tradition involves wearing specific items during certain seasons, and it’s tied to how we express ourselves as a community.”
Yadwadkar added, “I’ve started wearing a jacket over my Indian clothes just to camouflage and not draw attention to my ethnicity.”
Crime Statistics and Community Response
Despite these alarming incidents, city statistics indicate that overall burglaries are decreasing. As of now, Cupertino has reported 44 residential burglaries in 2024, down from 69 in 2023 and 85 in 2022. The West Valley Patrol Division reported that approximately 21% of burglary victims this year are Indian, which aligns with Cupertino’s demographic makeup.
Captain Neil Valenzuela, who oversees the West Valley Patrol Division, acknowledged the potential for underreporting crimes, stating, “Sometimes people feel like we’re not going to help them or solve anything. We encourage everyone to report suspicious activity so we can do our best to investigate.”
Residents’ reluctance to report burglaries often stems from the belief that the police may be unable to successfully apprehend or prosecute suspects. Valenzuela noted that the success rate for solving burglaries in Cupertino is below 10%, making these crimes particularly challenging to investigate.
He explained that police require strong evidence—like fingerprints, DNA, or clear security footage—to charge suspects with the crime. In many cases, thieves convert stolen jewelry into cash or export it quickly, complicating recovery efforts.
Importance of Precautionary Measures
Valenzuela emphasized the importance of community vigilance and preventative measures. He encouraged residents to request additional patrols from the Sheriff’s Office, install security cameras and alarm systems, and consider implementing shatter-proof films on sliding doors.
“A good neighborhood watch, where neighbors look out for one another, can be very effective,” he noted. “That’s how we gather valuable information and leads on cases.”
In light of the break-ins, Yadwadkar organized the neighborhood watch orientation and urged residents to remain alert, share information, and report any suspicious activity. However, she believes that the city should bear more responsibility for ensuring resident safety.
“We live in a wealthy neighborhood, pay high taxes, and have to invest in security systems and neighborhood watches? I want pressure on our mayor and law enforcement,” she stated.
Addressing the Regional Burglary Issue
Mayor Sheila Mohan acknowledged that burglaries are a widespread problem, not limited to Cupertino. She noted that neighboring cities like Sunnyvale and Saratoga face similar issues, making it a regional concern.
Cupertino regularly collaborates with these cities to share information and develop interventions, such as the potential installation of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras. These cameras, also known as Flock cameras, can identify stolen vehicles, allowing law enforcement to respond quickly to crimes.
Valenzuela reported that Los Altos Hills has seen a reduction in burglaries after implementing ALPR technology. On October 1, Cupertino’s city council approved the installation of 15 ALPR cameras in strategic locations. The Sheriff’s Office will work with the city to develop a policy for implementation, taking privacy concerns into account.
Despite these promising measures, victims like Yadwadkar, Tiwari, and Desai remain on edge about the possibility of further break-ins.
“My neighbor was targeted two years ago—twice,” Tiwari recalled. “They burglarized his home once and returned later to steal his car.”
Yadwadkar expressed concern for her son, who discovered their home had been robbed. “For weeks, I’d text him constantly to ensure he closed everything and stayed safe. You become overly cautious and start to overthink everything,” she explained.
The Desais continue to experience anxiety every time they receive a notification from their security system.
“Our home doesn’t feel like a home anymore; it feels like a fortress,” Indra Desai said. “You should never have to live in a place that feels like a fortress instead of a home.”
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