'Crime Tourism' Ring Member Pleads Guilty To Role In LA County-Based Conspiracy: DOJ

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles man pleaded guilty this week to federal charges connected to his role in a so-called "crime tourism" ring that dispatched thieves from overseas to various parts of the U.S. to shoplift, burglarize homes and businesses and steal credit cards before laundering millions of dollars in proceeds, according to prosecutors.

Miguel Barajas, 59, of Northridge, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and structuring transactions to evade financial reporting requirements, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors claim the scheme was run by a Santa Clarita couple, Juan Carlos Thola-Duran, 58, and his girlfriend Ana Maria Arriagada, 42, who operated a car rental business called Driver Power Rentals.

Between 2018 and 2024, prosecutors say Thola-Duran directed crime groups from Central America and South America to travel to the U.S. to commit crimes — using cars provided by his rental company, according to the 46-count indictment that names seven defendants in total.

Following the thefts, the couple ordered associates who stole credit cards to quickly go to stores including Target, Best Buy and Home Depot to max out the cards by purchasing electronics, gift cards and high-end luxury goods before the cards cold be canceled, prosecutors claim.

Thola-Duran arranged for the thieves to deliver the items to Barajas and others at the rental car company, sometimes via FedEx or U.S. Postal Service shipments, prosecutors said.

Barajas and others "would pick up parcels containing items that the thief co-conspirators stole or purchased with stolen credit or debit cards from the post office or the Sherman Oaks FedEx, then deliver the parcels to (Thola-Duran) and other co-conspirators," according to the indictment obtained by Patch.

Prosecutors claim Thola-Duran sold the stolen goods to buyers for about $5.5 million between 2018 and 2024.

Thola-Duran and Arriagada are accused of using the proceeds to purchase real estate and horses, structuring cash withdrawals to avoid triggering bank reporting requirements to the federal government.

Thola-Duran's trial is scheduled for August.

Arriagada pleaded guilty in June to charges of wire fraud, receipt of stolen property, money laundering, and structuring transactions. She is awaiting sentencing.

Barajas is due back in court for sentencing on Nov. 16.

City News Service contributed to this report.