Two Arrested for Theft of High Value Tires and Rims

WHAT:
News Conference

WHEN:
Monday, August 18, 2008 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Archers Tow
12565 Strathern Street
North Hollywood, CA

WHO:
Councilmember Wendy Gruel
Commander Harlan Ward
Captain Kelly Muldorfer

WHY:
Beginning in May 2008, four geographical LAPD divisions experienced a high volume of thefts of tires and rims from newer model Mercedes Benz and BMWs.

A collaborated investigation by involved divisional auto detectives resulted in the arrest of two suspects who have been under surveillance in the Van Nuys Area.

The suspects are 18-year-old Vasiliy Polyak and 20-year-old Arsen Ovsepyan of North Hollywood. The video surveillance photographs were an integral part of identifying the suspects.

The arrest resulted in several search warrants being served and over 100 tires and rims being recovered. The tires and rims were being sold on Craig’s List and after being purchased from Craig’s List were being sold again on eBay. It is imperative to know that when purchasing items on-line, if the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is too good and is possibly a stolen item.

Further investigation revealed that Polyak and Ovsepyan were also randomly targeting the cities of Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica.

On Monday, August 11, 2008, the District Attorney’s office filed 18 counts of burglary and grand theft on Polyak and Ovsepyan.