Video: Police Neutralize Criminal Group

Recently, operational information was received at the Main Department of Criminal Investigation of the Police that a group of individuals had formed an organized and stable group engaged in thefts.

To uncover the criminal group, expose the offense, and identify all members of the group, extensive operational and investigative measures were undertaken.

Round-the-clock surveillance was established, the identities of the group members were confirmed, and ambushes were organized. To monitor and record the suspects' actions during the night hours, technical special means and night vision cameras were also utilized.

As a result of the measures taken, several circumstances became clear. The members of the criminal group primarily met in the streets of Artsakh, Atoyan, Dimitrov, and Erebuni in the Erebuni administrative district.

After their meetings, the suspects would get into the vehicle of one of the group members and head towards the address of Arin Berd 3.

In order not to jeopardize the operational-investigative measures, it was decided to carry out the operations the next day, as there was information that the group would head in that direction once again.

The next day, police set up cameras along Arin Berd Street to monitor the movements of the criminal group and also organized ambushes.

As seen on the footage, after getting out of the vehicle, the group moved toward the yard of the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant. Moments later, they returned with bags and left.

After this operation, the suspects moved the bags to one of the houses in Saritagh, and the next morning, they transported them to a metal reception point using a cargo truck.

Thanks to the operational-investigative measures taken, it was revealed that the criminal group was stealing copper ingots from the transformer of the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant and selling the loot at the metal reception point. According to preliminary data, the stolen goods amounted to about 1 ton each time.

A criminal case has been initiated on the grounds of theft.

To organize the operation to neutralize the criminal group, it was necessary to monitor their criminal activities for several days in order to clarify all the circumstances of their actions and to ensure that all members of the group, as well as assisting persons, were identified during the neutralization.

On April 4, around midnight, the group again moved in the same direction. Once again, police were in the field of view as they transferred bags into a vehicle, and in the morning, they went to the metal reception point again.

When everything was clear, meaning the law enforcement knew where, what they were stealing, and where the stolen items were being sold, a decision was made to neutralize the group members.

That same day, April 4, in the morning, as a result of operational-investigative measures and investigative actions, the criminal group was neutralized at the metal reception point, and all suspects were detained at the Shengavit Police Department.

The detained individuals included: 34-year-old Arman Manukyan, 36-year-old Gurgen Ghrantonyan, 31-year-old Sergey Mehrabyan, 41-year-old Gevorg Baghdasaryan, 32-year-old Meruzhan Manukyan, brothers 37-year-old Nshan and 36-year-old Grigor Nshanyan, and 36-year-old Albert and 37-year-old Robert Nigoyan.

During the examination of the scene, a camera with a charger was found. The suspects had installed this camera in front of the transformer to monitor the movements of the thermal power plant employees via online mobile phones and had chosen the right moment to commit the theft.

Searches were conducted in the residences and vehicles of the suspects.

According to preliminary estimates, the damage caused by the thefts amounts to 21 million drams.

The suspects are in custody. The investigation of the initiated criminal case is ongoing.