Glendale PD started its investigation in July 2022, following a series of gas thefts with stolen credit card accounts. Officers chased the clues and charged Ambartsoum Pogosian with identity theft, a felony. In September 2023, TCSO made contact with GPD's detectives to share information about the Pogosian brothers' ongoing criminal activities. In their area, Armen Pogosian was arrested for buying diesel fuel with stolen credit card accounts. The police found him to be in possession of over 225 stolen credit card accounts, cash, narcotics, and a converted pick-up or "bladder truck" carrying around 300 gallons of stolen diesel fuel.
Upon receiving this information, GPD officers executed a search warrant at the Pogosians' residence on September 27. They found more than anticipated: around 100 stolen credit card accounts, card readers and writers, $33,000 in cash, identity theft materials, drugs, and another bladder truck. The GPD police announcement explained that bladder trucks are vehicles outfitted with a large exterior tank for illegally transporting fuel obtained via credit card fraud. They continue to fill the tank with gas using stolen cards, switch to another card when one maxes out, and sell the gasoline on the black market.
The coordinated efforts of GPD and TCSO show to demonstrate that partnership can dismantle organized, criminal operations. They managed to halt an identity and fuel theft operation spanning across multiple jurisdictions and restore financial security to the victims.
