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California Man Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating $23.9 Million ‘Crime Tourism’ Ring

The plea signals a turning point in cases targeting a sham rental front that equipped organized theft crews.

FILE: A wallet with credit cards, cash and account books. A Southern California man has pleaded guilty to facilitating a “crime tourism” ring that stole millions across the U.S.
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Overview

  • Juan Carlos Thola-Duran pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy, money laundering and structuring, and he faces up to 55 years when he is sentenced Nov. 18.
  • Prosecutors say he ran a 2018–2024 network that used a fake Van Nuys rental firm to equip theft crews, causing about $23.9 million in losses to at least 37 victims.
  • The crews stole cards, maxed out purchases at Target, Best Buy and The Home Depot, and shipped the goods through mail and pickup sites, including a FedEx location in Sherman Oaks.
  • Thola-Duran bought the stolen items at a discount and resold them for profit, receiving at least $5,758,655 from fences tied to the operation.
  • Co-defendant Ana María Arriagada has pleaded guilty, two others pleaded not guilty and are set for trial later this year, and prosecutors say asset recovery is ongoing.