Organized Retail Crime Cigarette Case Update
Case Summary A series of overnight break-ins began in June of 2011. The suspects would gain entry into the stores by prying open the emergency exit or front door of the store. Suspects, would at times, break the glass doors. The cigarette cartons were then loaded into a blue tote and stolen.
Stores Impacted This burglary crew was active in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties. CVS 36 incidents Rite Aid 9 incidents Walgreens 3 incidents
Vehicles Observed Not Actual Vehicles
Closure Efforts A collaborative effort between the retailers was established. Information and video was compared. A law enforcement alert was developed and distributed to law enforcement agencies across the various counties. Several police departments also assisted in conducting surveillances of the stores and a geographic profile was built that indicated that the suspects operated out of the Burbank area.
Geographic Profile provided by Chino Police Department Closure Efforts
Closure Efforts A plan was developed to have the CVS and Rite Aid burglaries communicated immediately upon occurrence to each other. Following a burglary, CVS and Rite Aid personnel would communicate to local law enforcement agencies that a criminal crew was operating in the area and request additional patrols. Vehicle descriptions were also given to law enforcement.
Final Incident On 08/18/2011, CVS suffered two burglaries. Based upon the city locations, it was determined that the suspects were traveling north on the 101 freeway. Local law enforcement was advised. Just after 3am, a patrol sergeant for Pismo Beach Police Department parked his vehicle at a distance from the local CVS. He was positioned in a way to observe the location, without being easily seen.
Final Incident At approximately 3:15 am, the patrol sergeant observed a vehicle pull along the front of the CVS location. A suspect exited the vehicle and began to utilize a pry bar to force open the doors at the location. The suspect entered the location. Pismo Beach Police Department immediately converged onto the location. A suspect driving the vehicle immediately pulled away and drove to the 101 freeway. She was stopped and taken into custody.
Final Incident Upon exiting the store, the suspect dropped the blue tote that he was carrying and began to run. He was able to evade immediate apprehension. The vehicle that was stopped had no license plates on it. The plates were later discovered inside of the vehicle. The vehicle registration information yielded an identity of the suspect that was at large.
Final Incident At approximately 4pm, a vehicle being driven by the male suspect was observed near the police department. The vehicle was stopped and the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect stated that he was there to post bail for a female friend.
Suspects Arrested Abramian has an extensive criminal history. His criminal activities have associated him with New York, Colorado and Nevada. Both suspects reside within the search base provided through the geographic profile that was conducted. Armond Abramian DOB: 01/31/1978 Glendale, CA Darney Romero DOB: 10/08/1986 San Fernando, CA Abramian was also involved in a previous Rite Aid burglary investigation.
Armond Abramian In September of 2010 an arrest was made following a series of RX burglaries. Alex Shahkaramian of Glendale, CA was taken into custody following a burglary and vehicle pursuit. A second suspect was able to evade arrest. The vehicle that was used was a rental vehicle out of Hollywood, CA. Alex Shahkaramian September 2010 The rental vehicle s license plates had been removed.
Armond Abramian The vehicle was reported stolen after the arrest of the suspect. The person reporting the vehicle as stolen, stated that the vehicle was taken while parked in front of his mother's house in Los Angeles. The person stated that he did not know Shahkaramian. There was no evidence that this person was the other suspect that had avoided arrest.
Armond Abramian It was later discovered that the person that rented the vehicle did in fact know Shahkaramian. He had received a traffic ticket earlier in the year, while driving a car registered to Alex Shahkaramian. Name on Rental Agreement: Armond Abramian of Glendale, CA.
Armond Abramian Upon news of the burglaries and identity of Abramian, LAPD Commercial Crime Division had secured the area around the residence of Abramian. LAPD immediately recognized vehicles parked at the residence as the vehicles depicted in the cigarette burglary alert.
Armond Abramian A search warrant for the residence and vehicles was obtained. Ski masks and pry tools were recovered from the vehicles.
Armond Abramian The search of the residence at 1210 Orange Grove Ave, in Glendale also revealed numerous pharmacy stock bottles.
Armond Abramian A binder, detailing the court appearances for Abramian for numerous tickets for speeding, cell phone use and no license plates, was found.
Case Value Industry loss on cigarettes due to this case is estimated at over $200,000 Rite Aid loss is approximately $46,000. Additional follow-up is being conducted.