Arrest made in Rolex case
GLENDALE — A 54-year-old Glendale man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of stealing a $9,200 Rolex from a jewelry store after a tipster recognized him from video surveillance footage, police said.
Gary Demirchyan was arrested at 4:30 p.m. at his 4,300-square-foot home in the 2700 block of Sleepy Hollow Place in Glenoaks Canyon on suspicion of grand theft, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.
A woman who answered the phone at Demirchyan’s home on Friday hung up when she was asked about him.
A tipster on Thursday called Glendale Police Det. Keith James about Demirchyan after recognizing him in an Aug. 24 Glendale News-Press article. The story included a still from an Aug. 2 surveillance video from Classic Designs in the Glendale Galleria.
James later secured a warrant from a judge to search Demirchyan’s home, Lorenz said.
Detectives contacted Demirchyan as he arrived at his house, police said. Demirchyan was listed on his police booking report as being unemployed.
“He actually admits to being in Classic Designs that day, but denies stealing the watch,” Lorenz said.
Detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office next week, he added.
Surveillance video shows a man entering the store on Aug. 2 to inquire about the Rolex “Deep Sea” watch, prompting the store clerk to remove it from a glass display for a closer look.
While looking at the watch, the man asked about repairs to his luxury phone, James said. The store clerk became distracted, set the watch on a chair behind the counter and left the room.
The video shows the man walking behind the counter, then sitting on top of the watch before using either a folder or paper to swoop it up and place it in his rear pant pocket, James said. He then walks out of the store.
Detectives did not find the watch inside Demirchyan’s home, police said.
He was released early Friday after posting a $20,000 bail bond, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
He is expected to appear Oct. 8 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Glendale, police said.