LAPD Detectives and LAPD/ ATF Task Force Arrest Robbery Suspect NR22168jl  

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Robbery Detectives and Operations-West Bureau LAPD/ ATF Gun Violence Reduction Task Force identified and arrested a robbery suspect in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles.

On May 8, 2022, around 5:40 p.m., the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Grachik Melkonyan approached two victims who were seated at a table outside of a coffee shop located in the 6400 block of Sunset Boulevard.  As Melkonyan approached, he simulated a handgun which was covered with a towel. Melkonyan demanded money and proceeded to take one of the victim’s cellphone which was sitting on top of the table. Melkonyan then fled the location in a white colored Volvo SUV with the victim’s property.

Approximately ten minutes later, Melkonyan approached another victim at a bank located in the 6300 Sunset Boulevard.  Melkonyan demanded money from her as he simulated a handgun which was being covered with a towel. The victim feared she would be shot and went to the ATM to withdraw money. The victim withdrew cash from the ATM and handed the money to Melkonyan, who then walked back to his vehicle which was described as a White Volvo SUV and fled the area with victim’s money.

One witness used her cellphone to capture a photograph of the Melkonyan’s vehicle prior to him fleeing the scene. The investigation led by Hollywood Robbery Detectives and Operations-West Bureau LAPD/ATF Gun Violence Reduction Task Force identified Melkonyan as the suspect in both crimes. A Ramey arrest warrant and a Search Warrant for his residence was granted by the Los Angeles Superior Court and served on June 16, 2022, by LAPD Metropolitan Division officers. Melkonyan was taken into custody without incident.

The Search Warrant resulted in the recovery of a replica firearm. Melkonyan was booked at Hollywood Jail on two counts of Penal Code Section 211PC – Robbery and one count of Attempted Robbery. Melkonyan is a 30-year-old male (DOB:01/02/1992) and a resident of Los Angeles.  His bail was set at $150,000.00.

Melkonyan’s Replica Handgun Recovered During the Search Warrant

If anyone has information related to this crime or suspect, they are asked to contact LAPD Hollywood  Division, Detective Eberhardt at 213-972-2955.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.  Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.  Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.