Uncovering the Tourist Burglary Ring
Authorities have cracked down on a sophisticated crime ring that recruited burglars from South America to carry out crimes in cities across the United States. The so-called “tourist burglary” ring was orchestrated by Juan Carlos Thola-Duran, Ana Maria Arrigada, John Carlo Thora, Patricia Enderton, Miguel Angel Barjas, and Federico Jorge Tribel IV.
The operation, which ran from January 2018 to July 2024, involved organized groups of thieves visiting the U.S. on tourist visas. These criminals would break into homes, steal from businesses, and commit other financial crimes. Thola and Arriagada ran the operation from a rental car business, providing luxury vehicles to the burglars for a fee.
The thieves, equipped with false identity documents, would carry out crimes in various cities across the country. Stolen merchandise was then shipped back to the ringleaders in California, who sold the goods and shared the proceeds with the thieves.
One of the incidents involved a theft at a Scottsdale trailhead, where over $500 in cash and cards was stolen from a car. The stolen cards were used to purchase gift cards, which were later traced back to Arriagada.
The six individuals now face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and more. If convicted, Thola and Arriagada could face up to 200 years in prison.
These arrests shed light on a larger issue of organized crime rings targeting affluent neighborhoods across the country. Similar crimes have been reported in Scottsdale, where luxury homes were targeted by burglars. The methods used by these criminals have become increasingly sophisticated and high-tech.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in California is continuing to investigate whether the same crime ring is connected to other burglaries in different states. Stay updated on this developing story by downloading the 12News app for the latest breaking news.
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