FBI Cracks Down on South American Burglary Ring Operating in Los Angeles

Although the FBI has been criticized in recent years for its performance, they are still capable of doing a great job when it comes to catching bad guys. They have busted a burglary tourism ring and made many arrests in the Los Angeles region. It is a positive thing in all aspects:

Several people have been accused by the San Fernando Valley of running a tourist burglary ring.

Seven defendants are accused of multiple felonies including money laundering and wire fraud. They were also accused of conspiracy, structuring transactions to avoid reporting federal requirements, as well as money laundering.

According to the indictments, Juan Carlos Thola Duran (57) and Ana Maria Arriagada (41) operated Driver Power Rentals a Van Nuys-based company for car rentals.

The Department of Justice reports that from January 2018 to July 2024, Thola Duran instructed her associates, many of whom were members of a South American crime tourism organization, to travel to various parts of the US to commit thefts. The crimes included burglarizing and shoplifting homes, businesses, and commercial establishments and stealing victims’ credit cards and debit cards.

There is no information on the immigration status of the ringleaders Juan Carlos Thola Duran, and Ana Maria Arriagada. They operated a business in the United States. The ringleaders must have business licenses, etc. but what about California?

Although the plan was not complex, it had a wide scope.

Thola Duran Arriagada told people to steal debit or credit cards, then go to Target or Best Buy to buy electronics, gift certificates, and designer purses before the cards can be frozen or canceled.

Thola Duran had the thieves deliver the stolen goods to DPR associates or other conspirators. Other defendants would pick up the packages and deliver them to Thola Duran.

Ringleaders spend $5 million on horses, real estate, and other items.

At least, the real estate investment was a success.

As I mentioned, much of the criticism leveled at the FBI over the past few years was justified. However, in this case, the agents and LAPD officers who were involved should be commended for breaking up an interstate theft network. The FBI’s main goal is to put criminals behind bars and off the streets. They did the right thing in this case. It was inevitable that someone innocent would be hurt by such an operation.