30 USPS Trucks, Mail From 232 Victims Stolen In LA County Scheme: DOJ

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Glendale man pleaded guilty on Friday to federal charges in a scheme that involved stealing about 30 U.S. Postal Service vehicles and mail belonging to more than 200 victims, federal prosecutors said.

Vegen Hartoonian, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft of government property and one count of aggravated identity theft. He has been in federal custody since October 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

From September 2023 through November 2024, Hartoonian and his co-conspirators used rental cars to follow USPS trucks as mail carriers made their routes in Los Angeles County, according to his plea agreement obtained by Patch.

Court records detail several of the thefts.

On Sept. 18, 2023, Hartoonian used a credit card belonging to another person without permission to rent a Dodge Caravan for use in the scheme, according to the plea agreement.

Less than two weeks later, Hartoonian and a co-conspirator used the Dodge to follow a postal vehicle along its route. After the carrier got out, the pair stole the USPS vehicle, drove it elsewhere, took mail from inside and abandoned it before leaving in the Caravan, court records show.

Each stolen postal vehicle was valued at about $11,651, according to the plea agreement.

In all, Hartoonian and his co-conspirators stole approximately 30 postal vehicles and mail belonging to about 232 victims, federal prosecutors said.

Hartoonian also admitted that in January 2024, he possessed 100 credit and debit cards belonging to other people. In connection with the identity theft charge, he admitted possessing another victim's name and credit card number without authorization, according to prosecutors.

The plea agreement also provides additional details about the potential financial consequences of the case. Prosecutors and Hartoonian currently estimate restitution at approximately $95,000, though the amount could change before sentencing.

Hartoonian faces up to seven years in federal prison. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison term that must run consecutively to any other prison sentence imposed.

U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder scheduled sentencing for Dec. 7.

Three co-defendants — Jose Arviso, 50, of San Bernardino; Sanjay Varma, 44, of Pasadena; and Juan Nuñez, 25, of Highland Park — have also pleaded guilty to federal charges and remain in custody, according to prosecutors.

A fifth defendant, Mark Anthony Quitugua, 43, of Lincoln Heights, has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial in January 2027. He is free on $10,000 bond.