Five men from Glendale were arrested Thursday after police said they were involved in an alleged scheme to steal mail from an apartment complex and use residents’ personal information for fraudulent activity.
The Glendale Police Department identified the suspects as Razmik Barseghyan, 36; Robert Poghosyan, 27; Vahan Kalashyan, 35; Armen Harutyunyan, 26; and Artyom Militonyan, 27. All five are Glendale residents.
According to police, the investigation began after detectives received reports of people accessing apartment mailboxes and removing mail belonging to other residents.
“The investigation began after detectives received reports of unknown individuals accessing and removing mail from various apartment mailboxes,” Glendale police said.
Investigators later determined that the suspects were allegedly living inside the apartment complex while using information belonging to other residents to open credit cards in their names, according to the department.
Police also said detectives discovered that mailbox keyholes had been tampered with and replaced with so-called “dummy” keyholes. Authorities allege the modifications allowed the suspects to gain unauthorized access to residents’ mail.
The investigation eventually led detectives to serve search warrants as they worked to determine the full scope of the alleged operation.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS
During the search warrants, Glendale police said detectives recovered a significant amount of personal information belonging to alleged victims.
Investigators also reportedly seized credit card re-encoding devices, cash, gold and credit cards.
“The suspects were witnessed removing mail from mailboxes belonging to other residents,” police said in describing the evidence that prompted the investigation.
According to Glendale PD, detectives are now examining the seized materials to determine how extensively the alleged fraud was carried out and whether additional residents were affected.
Police said the discovery of credit card re-encoding devices is particularly significant because investigators are examining whether stolen personal information and financial data were used to facilitate fraudulent transactions or accounts.
Glendale police also said detectives are continuing to identify potential victims whose information may have been compromised.
“The evidence recovered is being examined as detectives work to determine the full scope of the fraudulent activity,” the department said.
The alleged scheme involved more than simply taking physical mail, according to investigators. Authorities say the stolen information may have been used to impersonate residents and obtain financial products in their names, potentially leaving victims to deal with fraudulent accounts and financial consequences.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
The case highlights the risks associated with mail theft, particularly when criminals allegedly use stolen documents and personal information to commit additional financial crimes.
Mail can contain sensitive information, including financial correspondence, identification documents, account information and other materials that can potentially be exploited by identity thieves.
Glendale police said the investigation remains focused on determining whether the five suspects were responsible for additional fraudulent activity beyond the incidents already identified.
A skeptical view is that the allegations do not yet establish the full scope of the scheme or prove that every piece of recovered evidence was connected to fraudulent activity. Police have said the investigation is still ongoing and that the evidence is being examined. The eventual criminal charges and any evidence presented in court will determine what can ultimately be proven against each defendant.
The department's investigation could also reveal additional victims as detectives examine the recovered personal information and financial materials.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Glendale police said the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Detectives are continuing to examine the evidence seized during the searches and are working to determine whether additional residents had their identities or financial information compromised.
Authorities are also attempting to identify potential victims who may not yet know that their personal information was allegedly obtained or used.
Anyone who believes they may have been affected or who has information about the investigation is encouraged to contact the Glendale Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit.
The investigation remains ongoing.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- How many residents allegedly had their mail stolen?
- How many fraudulent credit cards were allegedly opened?
- How much money, if any, was obtained through the alleged fraud?
- How long did the suspected mail-theft operation continue?
- Were all five suspects involved in the same activities?
- How many additional victims could be identified?
- What other evidence will detectives uncover from the seized materials?
- What charges will ultimately be filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office?