The New Windsor police chief is warning residents of “international organized theft groups” that appear to be targeting individual residences in town.

Daniel Valeri says the department has recently investigated several residential burglaries within the last few months believed to be committed by the groups, comprised of individuals “from South America who travel to the U.S."

Valeri says in New Windsor, they appear to be targeting homes of business owners when they’re not at home and focus on taking high-end jewelry, watches, designer items and cash.

Most of the cases involve burglars entering through the rear of the residence, with the primary bedroom being ransacked, Valeri says.

The perpetrators are also believed to conduct sophisticated surveillance to learn the daily patterns of their victims to determine when they are not home and may operate using rental vehicles with out-of-state license plates.

Valeri confirms to News 12 that the cases are possibly tied to an organized international crime burglary scheme involving suspects burglarizing residential neighborhoods in other parts of the Hudson Valley, and locations nationwide - including those targeting the homes of professional athletes in California and other parts of the country.

It’s believed that three people arrested for two burglaries on Continental Drive and Creamery Drive in New Windsor last February were involved in the organized crime scheme, Valeri says.

The recent burglaries occurred in the areas of Butter Hill Estates and Forest Glen developments. No arrests have been made in those incidents.

People News 12 spoke to say they’re aware of the burglaries in their neighborhood and are on high alert.

“The house on Pine View got hit then the house further up the block here got hit,” says one resident in the Forest Glen development area who asked not to be identified. “They ransacked the place.”

Police in the Town of Woodbury say they recently had a home on Ridge Road burglarized of $10,000 in proceeds under similar circumstances on Jan. 5. They believe the crimes are organized by the same international leaders but are being carried out by a steady stream of new burglars.

Residents are advised to alert police of any suspicious activity involving people or cars that don’t belong in a neighborhood, consider installing surveillance cameras and/or an alarm system, and avoid leaving large amounts of cash in your home.

Valeri says residents should also consider avoiding sharing on social media when going away on vacation.

“I moved up here a couple years ago,” says William Martinez, of New Windsor. “I thought this was a great place but then again, there’s always crime.”