Criminal charges were filed Tuesday against two men who were arrested in the theft of a wedding gift box containing about $60,000 in cash and checks from a banquet hall reception in Glendale.
Armean Shirehjini, 41, of Sherman Oaks, and Andranik Avetisyan, 37, of Los Angeles, are each charged with one count of second-degree burglary, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Shirehjini is also charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance while armed with a working firearm, while Avetisyan is also charged with a misdemeanor count of child endangerment.
The theft was reported at 12:50 a.m. Aug. 31 at the Renaissance Banquet Hall, 1236 S. Central Ave., according to Glendale Police Department Sgt. Jose Barajas.
“Witnesses reported that shortly after midnight, a male suspect entered the banquet hall, grabbed the gift box and fled through an exit,” Barajas said. “Surveillance footage shows the suspect entering the passenger seat of a newer black Mercedes SUV, which then fled the area.”
Detectives used video surveillance and department resources to identify the primary suspect in the theft as Shirehjini, according to a statement released by the police department.
Detectives arrested Shirehjini, who allegedly was in possession of a handgun, and Avetisyan at Shirehjini’s home on Friday. Avetisyan was identified as the getaway driver the night of the theft, police said.
“Detectives executed search warrants at both suspects’ residences and recovered a large amount of cash and dozens of checks made out to the victims from the wedding,” according to the police department’s statement. “In addition, several firearms and various narcotics were seized from both residences.”
Groom George Farahat told KTLA5 that “it was a wonderful party until the incident took place. As is tradition in our culture, most people give cash or checks as gifts for the newlyweds, so there was a box containing all the envelopes, the cards and the money from family and friends that were invited.”
Detectives urged anyone with information about the case to contact Glendale police at 818-548-3127.