GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC) — Two men have been arrested in the theft of a wedding gift box containing about $60,000 in cash and checks from a banquet hall reception in Glendale, authorities said Saturday.
The theft was reported at 12:50 a.m. last Sunday at the Renaissance Banquet Hall, 1236 S. Central Ave., according to Sgt. Jose Barajas of the Glendale Police Department.
“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.”
Over the past week, detectives used video surveillance and department resources to identify the primary suspect in the theft as Armean Shirehjini, according to a police statement.
Detectives arrested Shirehjini, who allegedly was in possession of a handgun, and Andranik Avetisyan at Shirehjini’s Sherman Oaks 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 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.
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