A suspect in an international crime-tourism ring, believed to be orchestrated by a Sand Canyon couple, has pleaded guilty, according to federal records available online.
Miguel Angel Barajas, 59, of Northridge, changed his plea Monday regarding three felony counts: structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements; conspiracy to launder money; and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Federal prosecutors allege Barajas was part of an operation led by Sand Canyon residents Juan Carlos Thola-Duran, 58, aka “Parcero,” and his live-in girlfriend, Ana Maria Arriagada, 42, aka “Parcera.”
The two controlled and operated defendant Driver Power Rentals, or DPR, a Van Nuys-based car rental or dealership business. Arriagada was the registered owner.
A news release that accompanied a 46-count federal indictment said that, through DPR, the couple aided South Americans, who were here essentially to steal, about where to steal from, with targets including homes and businesses.
The home thefts often provided credit cards that were used to purchase goods that also were sold overseas, according to the indictment, which also alleged hundreds of overt criminal acts tied to the conspiracy.
In one operation, a federal agent attempted a legitimate car rental from DPR, according to the indictment, but was turned away by employees when they learned the agent had presented a valid driver’s license and had not been referred to the company by a co-conspirator.
“From at least January 2018 to July 2024, Thola-Duran directed associates, often members of crime tourism theft groups traveling from South America, to travel to various parts of the United States to commit thefts, including shoplifting goods from stores, burglarizing residences and commercial businesses, and stealing victims’ credit cards and debit cards,” according to the August 2024 release announcing the arrest. “Thola-Duran, Arriagada, and DPR provided DPR vehicles for the thief co-conspirators to drive throughout the United States to commit thefts and burglaries and – to make the car rentals appear legitimate and maintain anonymity – require their co-conspirators to provide false identification when renting a vehicle for DPR’s records.”
Barajas’ role was largely as a “fence,” according to federal prosecutors, meaning he helped move the stolen merchandise and property.
Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff wrote in a statement that the agency has linked more than 130 theft suspects to Drive Power Rentals since 2019.
Barajas is not currently in custody, based on Department of Justice records available online. A sentencing report was ordered to be created for his next appearance in November.
Thola-Duran and Arriagada pleaded guilty to four counts in June as part of a plea agreement. The deal mentioned an offense level of 30 under federal sentencing guidelines for Thola-Duran, under the terms of the plea deal. That would make him eligible for about eight to 10 years in prison, which a judge is expected to consider but not mandated to follow.
The deal mentioned an offense level of 35 for Arriagada, as well as approximately $23.9 million in asset forfeiture. That offense level sets the low-end sentencing recommendation at 13 to 17 years.
Both defendants remain in federal custody and are due back in court next month according to federal records.
