LOS ANGELES, CA – A man accused of orchestrating a camera equipment rental scam that defrauded a local couple of more than $100,000 in professional gear has been arrested in Burbank, police said this week. Investigators believe the suspect may be connected to additional thefts across Southern California.
According to Burbank Police, 36-year-old Ryan Levon Roman was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with a theft case dating back to December 2024. Roman is accused of posing as a legitimate renter to acquire high-end cinematic camera gear under false pretenses before disappearing with the equipment.
Among Roman’s alleged victims are Ruoyu Li and Yang Fei, who operate a professional camera rental business. In January, Roman reportedly contacted the couple and agreed to rent two Tokina cinema zoom lenses and an Arri Alexa 35 camera package, a setup valued at over $100,000. Roman agreed to pay $600 per day for a two-week rental, but payment never arrived.
Li and Fei said they had placed a tracking device in the gear, which was later found to have been removed. “He was a real smooth talker,” Li said, noting that Roman even spoke about hiring him. Fei added, “At first, we blamed ourselves… but then we learned he’s a convicted felon. He will always have a way to trick us.”
After discovering they had been defrauded, Fei began researching Roman’s background and found other individuals who claim to have been similarly victimized. She said some victims were located in Orange County and Long Beach, with cases involving comparable rental scams. Though some stolen gear has reportedly surfaced in local pawn shops, Li and Fei’s equipment has yet to be recovered.
Roman, who was on probation for prior theft-related convictions in Los Angeles County, now faces one count of grand theft filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He is being held on $75,000 bail.
Detectives believe Roman may be responsible for additional cases and are urging other potential victims to come forward. The investigation remains active.
