A series of residential burglaries targeting Asian American restaurant owners has spurred state police to issue a warning.

“While many of these crimes occurred in the northeastern part of the state, similar burglaries have been reported across the commonwealth,” said Col. Robert Evanchick, state police commissioner. “We want businesses to be aware of this trend and take preventative measures.”

The perpetrators of the crimes operate as a team, with one person acting as a lookout while one or two enter the home. Cash or jewelry are then removed by the burglars.

Another team member mans the getaway vehicle, Evanchick said in a statement.

Troopers believe the burglars watch the houses they target, observing the activity patterns of residents to determine when the home will be unoccupied.

They usually appear in a disguise, posing in safety vests or as landscapers.

A similar multi-state operation last year in which eight people were indicted by federal prosecutors determined the burglars learned of the Asian restaurant owners’ addresses by entering their vehicles to look at registration cards, placing tracking devices on their vehicles, or following them home from work.

Troopers suggest those who may be vulnerable to such a crime secure cash and valuables in their homes, be aware of new faces and vehicles in their neighborhoods, install motion sensor lights, consider surveillance cameras and alarm systems, lock vehicles when not in use with registration information secured, be aware of being followed by another vehicle, and report suspicious activity to police.