LOS ANGELES (KNX) — Two brothers from the San Fernando Valley were arrested for their alleged involvement in a string of retail thefts throughout Southern California, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department announced Wednesday.
The alleged crimes took place over the past several months, starting in mid-November when sheriff’s deputies responded to a burglary of a Moorpark department store’s jewelry case.
Deputies discovered a lone suspect disabled a security cable affixed to a large jewelry display case and carried the entire case out of the store and into an awaiting vehicle that was parked in front of the exit doors, according to Det. Sgt. Kevin Lynch.
Store management estimated the stolen jewelry to be worth at least $21,500, Lynch said.
Investigating detectives learned the same suspect was responsible for committing similar thefts at seven locations of the same department store chain throughout Southern California. Lynch said authorities estimate the total loss of merchandise to be worth at least $124,000.
Detectives identified the main suspect as 30-year-old Vardan Gevorgyan of North Hollywood. Lynch said Gevorgyan conspired with his brother, 37-year-old Raphael Gevorgyan, in order to commit the alleged thefts.
The pair of brothers were arrested outside of an apartment in Pacoima, where the two had been staying, Lynch said.
They were taken to Ventura County Main Jail and booked on two counts of grand theft. Their bail was each set at $75,000, according to Lynch.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Related
