2 Arrested In Designer Returns Scam That Cost LA County Nordstrom $300K: Police

GLENDALE, CA — Two people have been arrested on suspicion of running a multi-year retail returns scheme that cost Nordstrom at least $300,000, Glendale police said this week.

The investigation began in February after a Nordstrom employee at the Glendale store flagged a suspected counterfeit return involving a high-end item. The case was later referred to police by the retailer’s internal investigations team, the Glendale Police Department said in a release.

Authorities identified the suspects as Arpineh Sarkisian and Argin Gharapetian, both of Glendale. Investigators claim the pair carried out a scheme in which they purchased authentic designer goods online, then returned counterfeit versions either in-store or through Nordstrom’s distribution system, police said.

Among the items involved: YSL handbags valued at nearly $3,000 each and Gucci shoes worth more than $1,000, according to police.

The pair is accused of making over 224 purchases from Nordstrom since 2019. All of those items were returned, according to police.

The estimated potential loss to Nordstrom exceeds $300,000, with about $50,000 in confirmed losses tied to the current investigation, police said.

On April 22, investigators served a search warrant at the suspects’ Glendale home, where they recovered a large quantity of designer merchandise, along with counterfeit items, packaging materials and store tags. Police said evidence also indicated the authentic goods were being resold through an online platform.

Sarkisian and Gharapetian were arrested on suspicion of felony grand theft, receiving stolen property and theft by false pretenses. They're set to be arraigned on Aug. 31.

The investigation remains ongoing. Police urged anyone with information to contact the department’s financial crimes unit at 818-548-3101.

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