ABC7.com staffFBI officials, the LAPD and two district attorneys announced arrests in connection with an investigation into an alleged international burglary crew.
The individuals are facing multiple federal criminal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. 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 the group ran a car rental business in Los Angeles that catered to the crime tourists and dispatched them to go commit the crimes. They're accused of offering high-end cars to blend into the communities they were burglarizing.Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.