Special Operation in Etchmiadzin: Criminal Authorities and Thieves Arrested

On March 4, a special operation named "Fight Against Criminal Subculture and Immediate Neutralization of Thieves" was carried out by the criminal investigation and community police departments of the Vagharshapat Police in Etchmiadzin, resulting in the identification of individuals arrested from the territory of the "Forest Beauty" restaurant complex. Among those arrested are 46-year-old Arthur Arakelyan, 46-year-old Arsen Arakelyan, 31-year-old Edward Danielyan, 42-year-old Ghirair Brutyan, known as "Shahumyan's Jiro"—a recognized thief, 32-year-old Aramayis Mirzoyan, 30-year-old Martun Mikayelyan, 42-year-old Hayrapet Karapetyan, 53-year-old Andranik Sogoyan, known as "Zap"—another recognized thief, 43-year-old Haykaz Galajyan, 41-year-old Shaliko Manucharyan, 42-year-old Hayk Harutyunyan, 49-year-old Karen Harutyunyan, 31-year-old Simak Gogchyan, 40-year-old Ruben Hovakimyan, and 41-year-old Zohrab Baghdasaryan, according to shamshyan.com.

Vehicles identified and taken to a secure area of the Vagharshapat Police include a Lexus with the license plate P 743 OH 750 RUS, a Porsche Panamera with the license plate 36 CV 660, a BMW with the license plate 35 ZR 268, and two Toyota Land Cruisers with the license plates 37 AQ 176 and 88 OP 088.

A personal search revealed a folding knife with a concealed lock found in the right pocket of Hayrapet Karapetyan's trousers, and another knife with a concealed lock secured in the waistband of Martun Mikayelyan. These items were seized and packaged for evidence.

All individuals were later released, and forensic examinations have been ordered. An investigation is currently underway at the investigative department regarding the incident. Previously, the police had reported executing the operation to combat criminal subculture and immediately neutralize thieves in the city of Etchmiadzin. In a matter of minutes, Vagharshapat police detained a total of 15 individuals from the area of the well-known "Forest Beauty" restaurant complex.

According to sources, among those detained were two identified criminals: "Leninakan's Zap" and "Shahumyan's Jiro", while the others are advocates of criminal subculture. They were identified driving Lexus, Toyota Land Cruiser, Porsche Panamera, and BMW vehicles, which were also taken to the secured area of Vagharshapat Police.