Major "Crime Tourism" Bust Unveiled in Southern California

Federal prosecutors have unsealed a 46-count indictment against six individuals accused of running a sophisticated "crime tourism" ring based in Southern California. The group, allegedly led by Juan Carlos Thola-Duran, 57, and his girlfriend Ana Maria Arriagada, 41, is accused of orchestrating a series of high-profile thefts and laundering millions of dollars over a six-year period.

The defendants are charged with a range of federal crimes, including money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, as CBS News reports . The indictment outlines how the ring allegedly directed co-conspirators, often from South America, to enter the United States and commit thefts across the country. The group is accused of stealing luxury goods from homes and retail stores, then laundering the proceeds through a Van Nuys-based rental car company, Driver Power Rentals, which was owned by Arriagada.

According to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, the group used high-end rental cars to blend into affluent communities, where they would commit burglaries and shoplifting. The stolen items, including electronics, designer purses, and gift cards, were allegedly sold for a fraction of their retail value, generating approximately $5.5 million for the ring. Thola-Duran is accused of acting as a "fence," buying the stolen goods and reselling them for profit.

The operation, which prosecutors say ran from January 2018 to July 2024, also involved fraudulent schemes to obtain nearly $275,000 in COVID-19 business relief loans. The group's activities were not confined to Southern California; they allegedly organized over 120 burglaries in 80 cities across the United States.

Authorities executed 11 federal search warrants across multiple locations, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Barbara, and Palmdale, seizing 25 vehicles, several properties, and horses believed to be purchased with the illicit funds.

Estrada emphasized the national scope of the problem, stating that crime tourism has significantly impacted communities throughout the country, particularly in Southern California. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to combat these organized theft rings, which have driven up the number of home burglaries in Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

The six individuals could face decades in federal prison if convicted, marking a significant step in the fight against crime tourism.