Some of the burglars used illegal signal jammers to defeat surveillance cameras, cellphones, and some alarm systems, and signal detectors to reveal security systems and hidden cameras.

After patience picking a target, they switch to a blitz-style burglary.

Sometimes the bandits kick in a rear or side door, even a front door. Police seized several “entry kits” that included pry bars and punch tools, used to smash glass, such as sliding patio doors or windows.

Then they swarm in, smashing and grabbing, upending anything in their way as they rummage through drawers, cupboards, and shelves for easy-to-carry valuables. They love watches, jewelry, cash, passports, luxury handbags, small electronics, designer clothes, and collectibles.

“They’re literally in there only minutes. They turn over the rooms and get out,” Smyth said. Often the valuables are stuffed in grocery store bags, so they don’t look odd carrying bulging bags. Sometimes they use suitcases found in the home to carry their loot.