Three Arrested for Burglary and Grand Theft

On Feb. 20, Glendale PD patrol officers responded to the 100 block of North Louise Street and the 500 block of East Lexington Drive regarding vehicle burglaries of subterranean garages where a set of four tires were taken from two different vehicles, along with miscellaneous documents from a third. 

Officers obtained surveillance footage of the incidents and were able to determine a vehicle license plate number along with vehicle and suspect descriptions. Utilizing the department’s FLOCK Automated License Plate Readers officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle in a motel parking lot on the 1500 block of East Colorado Street. Upon arrival, officers observed 24-year-old John Diaz of La Puente (who initially provided officers with a false name) inside of the vehicle, and 25-year-old Stephanie Mendez of Baldwin Park and 24-year-old Vanessa Funston of San Dimas outside of the vehicle, and conducted a felony stop. Assisting units arrived and inside of the vehicle, officers located a car jack and several burglary tools. Inside of the motel room associated with the three individuals officers located eight wheels and tires and paperwork belonging to other individuals. 

Ultimately Mendez, Funston and Diaz were arrested and booked for burglary, grand theft and possessing burglary tools. Funston was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and had an additional charge added to her arrest for possessing controlled substances. Diaz was found to be in possession of another person’s personal identifying information and have outstanding warrants out for his arrest and had the added charges of identity theft and outstanding warrants added to his arrest. 

Adult Male Arrested After Stabbing a 14-Year-Old

On Feb. 18 at approximately 7 p.m., Glendale PD patrol officers responded to the 100 block of Olive Street regarding a possible stabbing investigation that occurred in the area of Verdugo Road and Broadway Avenue.

Upon arrival, the juvenile victim was being transported to the hospital with a significant stab wound by the Glendale Fire Dept.

Officers learned that the 14-year-old victim had been walking southbound on Verdugo Road, South of Broadway Avenue at approximately 6 p.m. when a male who was standing in front of an apartment building came up behind him, stabbed him in the shoulder and then ran out of sight. 

Detectives assigned to the Glendale Police Dept. Robbery/Homicide Detail and the Pacific Southwest Regional Taskforce immediately began an investigation. During the investigation, detectives were able to obtain surveillance footage of the area and the path the suspect took when fleeing, ultimately leading detectives to obtain a suspect vehicle description. Detectives identified the suspect involved in the incident as 31-year-old Arby Hovsepian of Glendale.

On March 1 at approximately 12:30 p.m., Hovsepian was located on the 1800 block of Cañada Boulevard. Hovsepian was detained, arrested and booked for attempted murder.

The victim is expected to make a full recovery.

The Glendale Police Dept. is currently promoting a collaborative safety partnership between GPD and the community it serves. Anyone who has a home or business surveillance camera and wants to register the camera with the Glendale Police Dept. can do so by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yckr4nyp. Registration is voluntary, and any information provided is for official use only. For more information on the program, please call (818) 548-4818.

Male Arrested for Carrying Loaded Firearm in Public

On Feb. 16 at approximately 2:45 a.m., Glendale PD patrol officers responded to a business on the 6300 block of San Fernando Road regarding a man inside the location with a gun. Upon arrival, officers quickly cleared the business and detained 24-year-old Edvin Babakhanyan of Glendale who was found to be in possession of a loaded ghost gun. Babakhanyan was subsequently arrested and booked for carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a controlled substance while armed. 

Male Arrested and Booked in Connection
with Three Glendale Armed Robberies

On Jan. 26 just before 1 a.m., GPD officers responded to a business on the 1100 block of South Glendale Avenue regarding a robbery that had just occurred. During the investigation, officers learned that the store clerk was robbed at gunpoint of approximately $400. Officers reviewed surveillance footage at the location and observed the suspect enter the store, approach the register, put a bag on the counter and display a handgun. The clerk placed money from the cash register into the bag and the suspect then exited the store with the bag of money. During subsequent investigation, detectives were able to determine the type of vehicle the suspect arrived and fled in.

On Feb. 14 at approximately 2:30 a.m., GPD officers were dispatched to a business on the 500 block of West Colorado Street regarding a robbery with a gun that had just occurred. Upon arrival, officers reviewed surveillance footage and observed a suspect enter the store, approach the counter and place a plastic bag on it while removing a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband, then exit the store after obtaining cash from the register. During follow-up investigation, detectives determined the suspect in this robbery appeared to be the same suspect from the Jan. 26 robbery. Detectives were also able to obtain a license plate number for the suspect’s vehicle.

On Feb. 16 just after 9 p.m., GPD officers were dispatched to a business on the 5300 block of North San Fernando Road regarding a robbery involving a firearm. Upon arrival, officers obtained surveillance footage and observed the suspect walk to the counter and produce a bag, lift his jacket exposing a handgun, remove money from the register and place it into the bag, and flee the location on foot. Detectives determined that the suspect in this incident was the same suspect in both the Jan. 26 and Feb. 14 incidents.

After a thorough investigation by the Glendale Police Dept.’s Robbery/Homicide Unit, on Feb. 17 at approximately 9:45 a.m., officers assigned to Glendale PD’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED) conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle observed to be a part of the above three incidents. The driver, 19-year-old Damian Cruz-Lugo of Glendale, was immediately recognized as the male suspect involved in the above mentioned robberies. Cruz-Lugo was arrested and booked for robbery. 

Cruz-Lugo was arraigned on Feb. 22 on three felony counts of robbery with possession of a firearm for all offenses and held on $200,000 bail.

Three Males Arrested and Booked After Stealing Bicycles from Subterranean Garage

On Feb. 16 at approximately 3:30 a.m., officers assigned to Glendale PD’s Patrol Bureau responded to the Americana at Brand regarding a group of three males stealing bicycles from the location. Officers were given suspect descriptions, and while en route to the location, assisting officers located three males at the intersection of Broadway and Central avenues who matched the suspect descriptions given.

Officers detained and spoke with 29-year-old Jesse Quintero of Palmdale, 35-year-old Benito Avalos of Los Angeles, and 37-year-old Ricardo Reveles (transient). Officers obtained surveillance footage that showed the three males walking toward the bike racks in the subterranean garage on the 800 block of Americana Way. During the investigation, it was determined that the three males were at the location to steal bicycles. The three males were in possession of four bicycles and one scooter with a value of over $8,000.

Quintero, Avalos and Reveles were arrested and booked for burglary and grand theft.

Glendale PD is seeking potential additional victims of this incident. Anyone who had their bike/scooter secured at this location and it is now missing should call (818) 548-4911 to report the item missing.