Burglar Admits Guilt After Plea Bargain

An Armenian immigrant pleaded guilty Friday to burglarizing a Van Nuys candy factory in a plea bargain expected to lead to his testimony against a second man charged with murdering the owner of the business.

Serob Vetsikyan, 22, admitted his role in a March 2 break-in at Chocolate Delight to Van Nuys Municipal Judge Robert Swasey, who scheduled sentencing for Nov. 15 in Superior Court.

As part of the deal, Vetsikyan will not serve time in custody.

Prosecutors are planning to use Vetsikyan as a witness against Harutian Truzian, 40, another Armenian immigrant who followed family members to America.

“He’s agreed to testify truthfully if called as a witness in the case,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert J. Schuit.

After going to work in his relatives’ tiny candy-making operation on Saticoy Street, Truzian was soon ousted from the business, authorities believe. He is charged with returning on Feb. 16, 1992, and fatally shooting his brother-in-law, Zaven Baregamian.

The widow, Manoush Baregamian, assumed control of the factory and rehired her brother, who was fired again after demanding to be made a partner in the fledgling business, authorities said.

About one year ago, Manoush Baregamian paid $18,000 to a blackmailer who had sent her sister death threats that included a unique bullet, according to prosecutors, who said the bullet implicated Truzian in the killing.

The aluminum-jacket, .25-caliber bullet included in the blackmail letter is the type that was used to kill Zaven Baregamian, and sources said Vetsikyan told police that Truzian asked him to take part in the extortion.

After Manoush Baregamian paid the money, Truzian went on a spending spree that included the establishment of his own candy-making business in Oakland earlier this year, according to authorities.

The specialized equipment stolen from Chocolate Delight was later found in S & H Chocolates, the company established by Truzian and Vetsikyan, police said.

Prosecutors have charged Truzian with murdering his brother-in-law for financial gain, a special-circumstance allegation that could lead to the death penalty.

Truzian, who is being held without bail, is scheduled to appear in Van Nuys Municipal Court Nov. 17 for a preliminary hearing to determine if he will stand trial.