Why the residents of this ultra-rich California town — home to Steph Curry — are volunteering to have their homes burglarized
Unnerved residents of America’s wealthiest town are volunteering to have their multi-million homes burglarized as part of a new police sting operation, after a spate of break-ins.
Lavishly leafy Atherton, California — home to NBA superstar Stephen Curry and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt — has seen ten residential burglaries so far this year, prompting local cops to launch a new “bait home” initiative.
The average property in Atherton –– roughly 35 miles south of San Francisco — runs more than $7 million, making it the priciest zip code in the country and well ahead of second-place Miami Beach.
Atherton Police Commander Dan Larsen told The Post this week several residents have already gamely volunteered to have their residences used to lure unsuspecting crooks.
Larsen said that items inside the strategically selected homes will be equipped with tracking devices to allow for rapid apprehensions.
The agency also plans to place enhanced surveillance devices on the properties to detect when a home has been breached.
“By leveraging innovative technology and community collaboration, we aim to reduce burglary rates and enhance the overall quality of life for everyone in Atherton,” the agency said in a statement.
Police have reported a string of break-ins in recent weeks, including a burglary on tony Tuscaloosa Avenue, on a block where a home sold in 2022 for an eye-watering $45 million.
Thieves appear to be hunting for top fo the line swag, with other recent breaches taking place on blocks studded with homes worth well into the eight figures.
Residents were especially disquieted last week after five homes were burglarized over just two days.
The glittering enclave had a similar rash of break-ins in 2022, with police officials saying the crimes were committed by an organized ring with origins in Chile.
Larsen said the department has yet to tie the most recent trend to that group, but they haven’t ruled out the possibility.
San Diego police recently reported a similar spike in residential burglaries in wealthy communities like La Jolla, and have speculated the Chilean crews are back in operation there after a six-month lull in activity.
There have been a total of 21 break-ins in the area this year, with intruders targeting jewels and precious metals.
Even in the county’s richest zip code, Atherton police are urging residents to be vigilant amid the latest upswing.
A recent advisory urged homeowners to lock their doors, keep valuables out of plain sight, and even to keep a TV on to ward off burglars looking for an empty target.
Curry himself was the victim of an uninvited intruder last October, when a Chinese exchange student entered his Atherton mansion and told a startled nanny that he wanted to meet the sharpshooter and perhaps grab an autograph.
Sheng Gao, 18, left the home without incident but was later arrested.
A warrant has since been issued after he skipped out on a December court date.
