CV police arrest two more suspects in Red Bull thefts

A day after South Pasadena police arrested a suspected Red Bull bandit, Crescenta Valley sheriffs have arrested two suspects after they attempted to make off with 51 cans of the energy drink from the Ralphs market in the 2600 block of Foothill in La Crescenta.

According to Sgt. Ray Harley of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station, Edgar Khasmeyan, 29, and Masis Mirzayan, 35, both of Tujunga, were stopped by Ralphs’ loss prevention agents outside the store before being arrested last Friday, August 12th.

Harley said that Khasmeyan was recognized by Dep. Frank Diana from security camera footage taken during the July 16 theft of $1,200 worth of Red Bull from the Ralphs supermarket on the 500 block of Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge.

Harley said the duo are also being investigated in connection with Red Bull thefts that on occurred on July 3 and July 5 at the Ralphs in La Crescenta, as well thefts in neighboring cities.

“Absolutely our investigation thus far leads us to believe they’re responsible for these other three thefts in the area in July,” said Harley.

Harley said that his department is also investigating any possible connection with the suspect arrested last Thursday, August 11th, in South Pasadena, Eric Petrossian.

“They all could be part of the same crew,” said Harley.

Petrossian, 21, of Burbank was arrested after a Glendale Police officer was able to recognize him from a previous incident after viewing security camera footage of Petrossian shoplifting from a Ralphs and Pavilions, according to Det. Richard Lee of the South Pasadena Police Department.

Lee said that these shoplifting incidents have been occuring across the city.

“These Red Bull thefts are surprisingly becoming a huge thing, not just in the San Gabriel Valley, but you’re talking about in the Westside as well, and for some strange reason they’re just in demand,” said Lee.

Harley said that with black market demand, the stolen Red Bull could be being sold to mom and pop stores, at flea markets or to bars.

Lee said that police suspected Petrossian as well was stealing the energy drink with the intent to resell it, but that it was a hard path to follow.

“Who they’re selling them to, we don’t know,” said Lee. “We haven’t found out and unfortunately they’re not products with a serial number that you can trace.”