2 arrested after brazen wedding crasher seen on camera stealing $60,000 in gifts from Orange County couple at Glendale, CA party
Share this @internewscast.com

GLENDALE, Calif. — Two individuals have been detained in relation to the theft of a wedding gift box in Glendale, tarnishing what should have been a memorable evening for a couple from Orange County.

One of the suspects is accused of stealing roughly $60,000 from the couple, and the other was the alleged getaway driver.

Within days of the couple’s unfortunate experience at their own wedding, authorities were able to retrieve thousands of dollars that were stolen, as well as additional unexpected findings.

A now-viral video shows the thief making off with the bride and groom’s gift box last weekend.

It was a wedding day disaster as a heartless wedding crasher stole tens of thousands of dollars meant to help a couple start their life together.

Though dressed in a black suit and dress shoes that helped him blend in at Nadeen and George Farahat’s wedding attended by 300 guests, the thief was unable to evade the keen eyes of security cameras, which captured clear images of his uncovered face during various moments of the heist.

“We received numerous tips from the public, some more useful than others, which allowed us to quickly identify the suspects involved,” stated Sgt. Jose Barajas of the Glendale Police Department.

Mere days after the couple exchanged vows, Glendale Police captured Armean Shirehjini, believed to be the man who brazenly moved across the dance floor and made off with tens of thousands of dollars worth of cash and checks from the Renaissance Banquet Hall.

Police identified the getaway driver as Andranik Avetisyan.

ABC Los Angeles affiliate KABC spoke with the newlyweds earlier this week.

“I ended up sitting on the dance floor, sobbing with my friends and cousins around me,” the bride, Nadeen, said.

Glendale police say they recovered a pile of checks and a good amount of cash inside a safe at the suspect’s home.

“Evidently, the perpetrator struck it big, managing to steal approximately $60,000 along with several checks. However, we succeeded in recovering 26 checks and around $10,000,” according to Barajas.

There was another surprising find when police executed search warrants on both Shirehjni’s and Avetisyan’s homes: a large amount of drugs and a ton of guns.

“Detectives executed search warrants at both suspects’ residences and recovered a large amount of cash and dozens of checks made out to the victims from the wedding,” according to the police statement. “In addition, several firearms and various narcotics were seized from both residences.”

Despite what might look like the guns, drugs and cash haul you’d see from an organized criminal enterprise, police say neither suspect had a criminal history of doing this, and the theft was likely a crime of opportunity.

“Glendale has a lot of banquet halls, a lot of weddings every single weekend, so we believe that maybe this was just a random location that they decided to pick,” Barajas said.

No weapons were used at the wedding, but police say Shirehjini was armed when he was arrested on Friday night.

The happily married couple, who KABC spoke with before the arrests were made and all the guns were found, are vowing to focus on all the fun before the theft.

“We had a wonderful ceremony at our church. We had a really fun party with our family and friends, and we were able to celebrate up until the incident,” the groom, George, said. “We’re trying to focus on the fun times, the important things to us, and the fact that we’re married.”

KABC asked police if any or all of the guns were purchased legally, and they said they are looking into it. They’re also looking into the drugs and what appear to be fake IDs that were recovered.

Copyright © 2025 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
DOJ: Two U.S. citizens used Minnesota as base for overseas kidnappings and bombings

DOJ: Duo Used Minnesota as Headquarters for International Kidnappings and Explosives Plots

A federal grand jury in Minnesota has indicted two naturalized U.S. citizens…
'Large shark' kills man at Australian beach; witness describes hearing screams of 'don't bite me!'

Tragic Shark Attack Claims Man’s Life at Australian Beach, Witnesses Hear Screams

An Australian surfer died Saturday after being bitten by a “large shark”…
Before the Philly Ball-Thief Karen, There Was the Famed Philly Phan Who Barfed on Policeman's Family

Before the “Philly Ball-Thief Karen,” There Was the Notorious Philly Fan Who Vomited on Officer’s Family

While Philadelphia might be recognized as the City of Brotherly Love, it’s…
Freeze! Police ice cream trucks seek to portray officers in a positive light

Police Use Ice Cream Trucks to Foster Positive Community Relationships

NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — Across the nation, police departments are getting creative…
University of Idaho victims' families ask judge to permanently block crime scene images

The Unexpected Meeting and Kept Promise That Altered the Idaho Student Murder Investigation

DENVER — Kristen Mittelman, a top executive at the forensics firm Othram,…
Family of metro Atlanta boy hurt in deadly ATV crash questions safety at park

Metro Atlanta Family Questions Park’s Safety After Fatal ATV Accident Injures Young Boy

The family of 13-year-old Marcus Ragland Jr. said he protected his younger…
Off-duty pilot who tried shutting down engines after taking psychedelic mushrooms pleads guilty

Off-Duty Pilot Admits Guilt After Trying to Turn Off Engines Under Influence of Psychedelic Mushrooms

A former Alaska Airlines pilot, who attempted to disable the engines of…
Pope Leo XIV declares teen computer whiz Carlo Acutis the first millennial saint, Pier Giorgio also canonized

Pope Leo XIV Names Tech-Savvy Teen Carlo Acutis as the First Millennial Saint; Pier Giorgio Also Canonized

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV honored a 15-year-old tech prodigy by…
Texas woman sentenced to 6 years in prison for setting Washington state church on fire

Texas Woman Receives 6-Year Prison Sentence for Arson of Washington State Church

A Texas woman received a six-year prison sentence for her involvement in…
Suspected serial killer abducted teen who chewed through bindings to escape

Teen Escapes Captivity After Chewing Through Restraints in Alleged Serial Killer Case

At 15, Norma Countryman chewed through her bindings to escape a suspected…
Venice Film Festival: 'Father Mother Sister Brother' wins top prize

‘Father Mother Sister Brother’ Takes Top Honor at Venice Film Festival

The film stars Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps, and Cate Blanchett and explores…
President Donald Trump says he doesn't know 'anything' about reported violent, failed 2019 SEAL Team 6 mission in North Korea

Donald Trump Claims Ignorance of Alleged Failed 2019 North Korea SEAL Team 6 Mission

President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he was unaware of a…