Two men accused of stealing a wedding gift box from a couple at their banquet hall celebration in Glendale were charged Tuesday with second-degree burglary and other crimes.
The box containing $60,000 in cash and checks, gifts from the newlyweds’ wedding guests, was stolen Aug. 31 at the Renaissance Banquet Hall on Central Avenue. Security camera video showed a man dressed in black walking around inside the venue, appearing to order drinks and entering a restroom before taking off with the box as guests celebrated on a dance floor.
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. Avetisyan is also charged with a misdemeanor count of child endangerment.
Video from inside the wedding venue showed guests dancing on a nearby dance floor as the man appeared to fold and unfold a servers’ tray stand against a wall. Video showed the man pick up the gift box with both hands from a platform next to the wedding party table at the front of the room and bolt for the exit.
“It’s such a vulnerable moment for us,” said bride Nadeem Farahat. “There’s someone in this hall, watching our guests, watching us, taking advantage of the situation. When he saw his opportunity, he went for it and darted out the back.”
Police said the man took his time, waiting for about an hour before making his move. Security camera video from an alley showed the bald man dressed in black get into the passenger seat of a newer-model Mercedes Benz SUV that left the area.
Detectives used the video to help identify the primary suspect in the theft as Shirehjini, according to a statement released by the police department. Shirehjini, who allegedly was in possession of a handgun, and Avetisyan were arrested Friday at Shirehjini’s home. 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,” the department’s statement said. “In addition, several firearms and various narcotics were seized from both residences.”
Source: NBC Los Angeles
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