Last week, a grand theft occurred during a wedding reception at the Renaissance Banquet Hall, located at 1236 S. Central Avenue in the City of Glendale. According to the victims, approximately $60,000 in cash and dozens of checks were stolen from a gift box at the location. The suspect, unknown to the victims, ran out of the venue and into an awaiting vehicle driven by a second suspect. Both suspects then fled in a black SUV.

Over the past week, Glendale Police Burglary Detectives, using video surveillance and department resources, were able to identify the primary suspect in the theft as Armean Shirehjini. Yesterday afternoon, detectives arrested Shirehjini, along with a second male, at his residence in Sherman Oaks. During the arrest, Shirehjini was found to be in possession of a handgun.

The second male, Andranik Avetisyan, who resides in Los Angeles, was identified as the getaway driver the night of the theft. 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.

In addition, several firearms and various narcotics were seized from both residences. Detectives are still processing a significant amount of evidence and will continue their work through the weekend, as this is an ongoing investigation.

The Public Information Officer will be available for comments and additional information at the Glendale Police Department following the release of this media advisory.

Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is urged to contact the Glendale Police Burglary Detectives at 818-548-3127.

 Armean Shirehjini                          Andranik Avetisyan

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About the Glendale Police Department

Established in 1906, the Glendale Police Department is a full-service police department with approximately 450 total staff members, including nearly 300 sworn police officers. The Glendale Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of public safety services through proactive policing, professionalism, and community partnerships. 

Assignments include Patrol, Traffic, Investigations Bureau, Narcotics, SWAT, Motorcycles, K-9, School Resource Officer, Custody, Dispatch, and Air Support. Police Department responsibilities include 9-1-1 emergency response, proactive law enforcement, traffic enforcement and collision investigation, crime investigation and case preparation, community and school policing, and administration of the city jail facility.

For more information, visit GlendaleCA.gov/Police or follow @GlendalePoliceDept on Instagram and @GlendalePD on Facebook and X.

Media Contact: Sgt. Barajas | Office: 818-937-8888 | Email: GPDPIO@GlendaleCA.gov