SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Federal prosecutors have arrested six people in connection to a so-called “tourist burglary” ring
According to federal court records, organized groups of thieves would visit the United States on tourist visits. During the visits, they would break into homes, steal from businesses and commit other financial crimes.
Wednesday, authorities announced the arrests of:
- Juan Carlos Thola-Duran
- Ana Maria Arrigada
- John Carlo Thora
- Patricia Enderton
- Miguel Angel Barjas
- Federico Jorge Tribel IV
According to a 98-page indictment released Wednesday in California, federal prosecutors say the alleged crime operation ran from January 2018 to July 2024. One of the defendants is accused of selling more than $5 million in stolen items, and sending more than $5 million dollars to multiple bank accounts.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Thola and Arriagada ran the operation from a rental car business used to run teams of tourist thieves from South America, specifically the country of Chile.
Thola and Arriagada would rent luxury cars to thieves for around $500 per week, and required would-be burglars to obtain false identity documents, prosecutors said.
The burglars would then drive the cars to cities across the country to carry out crimes.
Stolen merchandise from the sites was then shipped to the ringleaders in California, where the organizers allegedly retrieved the packages and sold the goods, with a percentage of the proceeds paid back to the thieves, the indictment said.
The leaders also told the thieves to use stolen credit and debit cards as quickly as possible, "to max out the stolen credit and debit cards by purchasing electronics, gift cards, designer purses, other high-end luxury goods, or other items before the stolen cards could be frozen or canceled."
One of the alleged incidents took place in January 2023 at a Scottsdale trailhead. Federal investigators say someone connected to the ring broke into a car stealing more than $500 in cash, and credit and debit cards.
The stolen cards were then used to buy 25 Visa and MasterCard gift cards, each with a value of $200 from a Sam’s Club in Chandler.
Investigators say days later, Arriagada used three of the gift cards to pay a water bill at her Southern California home.
According to the indictment, federal prosecutors identified Juan Carlos Thola, and Arriagada as the leaders.
All six face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, and more.
Thola and Arriagada could face up to 200 years in prison if convicted.
Earlier this year, 12News first reported on similar crimes in Scottsdale dubbed the “Dinnertime burglaries.”
Detectives say 39 break-ins were carried out at luxury homes. About $600,000 worth of items were stolen at the homes.
Since 2019, over 100 Valley homes have been hit by an organized ring of crooks that target residences while the owners are out in the evening.
Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther said these burglars are members of a South American Crime Syndicate and they've been getting more high-tech with their approach.
“The majority of suspects that have been identified come from the country of Chile, which is on the Visa Waiver Program," Chief Walther said.
They steal cash, jewelry, and luxury purses that they then sell on the black market. However, Walther said there are some items they don't take such as jewelry with serial numbers that can get traced back to them or firearms.
It's an issue that is going on all over the United States but Walther said Scottsdale saw its first case in 2019. Since then, the methods used by the burglars have become more advanced.
12News reached out to Scottsdale police and the US Attorney’s Office of Central California to ask if the same crime ring in Southern California is connected to burglaries in Scottsdale.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California would not confirm if they were, only saying “The case is still under investigation.”
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
>> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12News app
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.