Statewide credit card fraud suspects arrested in Carmel

Carmel Police say two men who had over 60 fraudulent credit cards between them were arrested after buying a diamond ring worth over $43,000 in Carmel on Monday.

Police say 45-year-old Garik Gevorgyan and 49-year-old Sarkis Demirchian, both from Los Angeles, entered Fourtan Estate Jewelry on Ocean Avenue and were assisted with looking at and eventually purchasing a diamond ring valued at $43,400.

Police say the suspects used two fraudulent credit cards to make the purchase and left the store with the ring. After the suspects left the store, employees called the telephone numbers on the back of the cards and discovered the cards were fraudulent.

With the help of Fourtan’s staff, officers were able to locate both suspects at a nearby business and took both suspects into custody.

Police say Gevorgyan had 35 different fraudulent credit cards and Demirchian 34 different fraudulent credit cards on them.

Numerous items of evidence were also seized from their vehicle, which is believed to be related to other commercial burglary cases throughout the Monterey Peninsula and state.

Officers recovered property they believe to be related to additional commercial burglaries in Carmel, Seaside and Button Willow, California. The total value of these additional thefts is estimated to be in excess of $5,000.

This investigation is on-going and investigators are looking into whether the suspects were working with additional suspects and vehicles that have not yet been identified. This case will be forwarded on to federal authorities for further investigation.

If anyone has any information that may help, contact Detective Jeff Watkins at the Carmel Police Department, (831) 624-6403.