Two Arrested for Theft of High Value Tires and Rims

News Release
Friday, August 15, 2008

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.

http://www.lapdonline.org/north_hollywood_news/news_view/39097

WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER

I’m speaking to one of our neighbors on the third floor yesterday, and a couple in there twenties arrives home. The woman goes inside, while the man finishes his cigarette. He puts it out on the wall just around the corner from his front door. I ask him, “Why did you do that?” He tells us he’s going to throw it away inside. He assures us he won’t do that anymore. My friend and I throw out her trash, and the trash room on the same floor is packed with empty boxes. Later, I arrive home and see the trash room door on the 4th floor on the Weddington Street side so full, the door doesn’t close. (I run into another resident, and he showed me photos of the same trash room he took with his cell phone minutes before). Then I walk around to the one on the Chandler Boulevard side, and it has one bag that could have been discarded down the trash shoot. This afternoon, there was a small cabinet left under one of the “guest parking” signs near the Chandler Boulevard elevators in the parking structure.

I ask the residents to please discard your trash appropriately. I was told by two residents last night they have seen rats. The management is making an effort, and so must we. I’ve seen some of the signs with the pressure cleaning schedules ripped apart in the elevators. I don’t understand disruptive behavior in one’s home. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER. Let’s all work with one another to ensure our home stays safe and clean.

Speaking of which, I told tonight’s Courtesy Patrol Officer of a man sleeping not even twenty yards from the Chandler Boulevard entrance this afternoon. My fob didn’t work yesterday or today at that same entrance. This can be a potential opportunity for someone to take advantage of the situation. I mention this, only to ask everyone to remain vigilant of one’s surroundings.