Levon Iskandaryan and Mambreh Khachian were booked and charged with armed robbery and remain in custody on a $125,000 bail. LAPD said they are still seeking a third suspect who was the driver of the car.
The two men were arrested for robbery after meeting a man who had posted an ad on Craigslist offering some items for sale. The robbery occurred in the McDonald’s parking lot on Van Nuys Boulevard in Panorama City.
The victim had placed an ad on Craiglist to sell some computer equipment. After the defendant’s called him about the ad, he agreed to meet them at McDonald’s to show them the merchandise.
Once the victim arrived, he was flagged down by one of the defendants in the parking lot. While he was showing them the computer equipment he had for sale, the defendants apparently noticed he had a new iPhone 5. He led the victim to his car where the other defendant was holding a gun. They then took the iPhone from the victim.
The third suspect then sped off in the car while he dragged the victim. His clothes were torn and he sustained minor injuries.
Later that evening, the defendants were able to sell the phone in Glendale for $350 after placing an ad on Craigslist. Police were able to locate the phone from a “ping” signal, which took them to a house in Sunland.
Police were able to arrest one of the defendants as he was leaving the residence. They later entered the home and arrested the other suspect, who was living there with his parents. Police are still searching for the individual who purchased the phone.
Under California Penal Code section 211, robbery is taking the personal property of another person without consent by using force or fear. This violent crime offense is a serious felony and considered a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law.
If you have been accused of robbery in Los Angeles, you need to consult and experienced criminal defense lawyer a soon as possible. At the Goldstein Law Group, we have decades of combined experience and have defended countless clients. Over our many years of practice in criminal law, we have developed effective defense strategies. Our goal is obtain the best possible out come to your case.