Full Notification

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau (MCB), assigned to the Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team (Cargo CATs), have been investigating a series of high-value retail and cargo thefts. One of these investigations involves the following individuals:
 

• Samvel Karapetyan (DOB: 02/24/1987, Age 38)
• Vazgen Avagyan (DOB: 06/04/1988, Age 36)
• Narek Badalyan (DOB: 07/24/1992, Age 32)
• Vladimir Gyulankaryan (DOB: 09/18/1992, Age 32)
• Davit Grigoryan (DOB: 08/14/1984, Age 40)

 
These individuals are suspected of orchestrating theft operations by redirecting truck drivers and using box trucks and passenger vehicles to transport large quantities of stolen cargo.

A separate but potentially related investigation began on April 21, 2025, when an employee of ARI Bikes, located in Utah, contacted the LASD Compton Station to report the theft of 337 bicycles valued at approximately $1.7 million. Over the course of several weeks, the Cargo CATs team collaborated closely with ARI Bikes and members of the biking community. These partnerships generated critical leads that significantly advanced the investigation.

As a result, investigators identified multiple suspects and several warehouse locations suspected of housing stolen goods. Two multi-location search warrants were executed in connection with these separate investigations. The operations led to the recovery of 288 bicycles along with additional stolen merchandise. Several suspects were taken into custody, though their direct involvement in the ARI Bikes theft is still under investigation.
 
MCB Captain Calvin Mah stated “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Majors Crime Bureau is dedicated to combatting retail and cargo theft.  We are specifically trained to investigate all major theft groups as their criminal activities adversely affect the community.  When these theft incidents occur, our detectives will work with all community members who are willing to provide information which can lead to an arrest.  I am proud of our detectives' efforts in bringing these suspects into custody.  I am also encouraging all community members to notify us when they have information related to retail or cargo theft.”
 
The mission of the Cargo criminal apprehension team (Cargo CATS) is to reduce cargo theft crimes by apprehending and prosecuting both cargo thieves and their receivers and by returning stolen property to their rightful owners.  The mission involves a close working relationship with representatives from the private sector as well as other law enforcement agencies. 
  
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org 

Forwarded by:  
Sheriff's Information Bureau  
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department  
211 West Temple Street,  
Los Angeles California 90012  
213-229-1700  
http://www.lasd.org    
 
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Robert G. Luna, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department