LOS ANGELES -- Six people were arrested in connection with a crime tourism crew that ran a Los Angeles-based rental car company that catered to thieves who would then target businesses and individuals in Southern California and beyond, authorities announced Wednesday. The individuals are facing multiple federal criminal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and structuring transactions to avoid financial reporting requirements. The indictment also alleges a Santa Clarita Valley man facilitated the "crime tourism group of South Americans" in burglaries, thefts and other crimes.
At a morning news conference at the Federal Building in Westwood, authorities said they served 11 federal search warrants - mostly in the San Fernando Valley, but as far north as Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita and Palmdale. Twenty-five vehicles, several properties and some horses were seized. "This is not just a local problem.
The crimes are affecting not just one city, one county, one region, one state, but the entire country," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. "But, the effects of crime tourism are being felt very acutely here in Southern California." The indictment alleges Juan Carlos Thola-Duran, 57, of Canyon Country, and his live-in girlfriend, Ana Maria Arriagada, 41, controlled and operated Driver Power Rentals, the seventh defendant named in the indictment.
Arriagada was registered owner of the Van Nuys-based car rental business. DPR catered to the crime tourists a.