Man pleads guilty in $24M 'crime tourism' theft ring using fake car rentals

Juan Carlos Thola-Duran, 59, pleaded guilty to participating in a nationwide "crime tourism" theft ring that resulted in at least $23.9 million in losses. The operation involved supplying vehicles to organized theft crews, primarily from South America, to carry out burglaries, retail thefts, and fraud across multiple states. Thola-Duran admitted to leading the scheme, which used a Van Nuys-based car rental business, Diver Power Rentals, to provide vehicles to thieves while concealing their identities through false identification. Prosecutors allege that stolen credit or debit cards were used to purchase high-value items from stores like Target, Best Buy, and The Home Depot before the cards could be frozen. The stolen merchandise, including electronics, gift cards, and designer purses, was then resold through associates. A monthlong investigation led to the arrests of two individuals and the identification of six others connected to the thefts in Los Angeles, the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Canada. In addition to the theft scheme, the group fraudulently obtained nearly $275,000 in COVID-19 relief funds and used illicit earnings to acquire real estate, vehicles, and other luxury items. Thola-Duran also structured cash withdrawals to avoid federal financial reporting requirements. His former girlfriend, Ana Maria Arriagada, pleaded guilty to four felonies last year for her role in the operation.