In the framework of the criminal case investigated in Lori Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee a number of circumstances of theft in particularly large amount committed in Vanadzor branch of «SEF International» universal credit organization on New Year’s Eve – on the morning of January 1, 2018 were found. One person was detained, search was declared against another. The Head of Lori Regional Investigative Department Tatul Shushanyan and senior investigator of particularly important cases T. Tadevosyan were awarded for the professionalism they displayed during the work done for disclosure of the case.

On January 1, 2018 a call was received from the manager of Vanadzor branch of «SEF International» universal credit organization informing that theft had been committed in the office. The investigatory-operative group immediately left for the site and found out that by opening the window through technical means the person having committed the alleged crime entered the office, opened the safe and stole the cash money and the golden jewelry pawned by citizens.

On the same day a criminal case was initiated in Lori Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 177 of RA Criminal Code, inspection of the site was conducted, an investigatory plan was worked out, working hypotheses were put forward and investigatory actions of great volume were conducted to find all circumstances of the case. In the result of investigatory actions factual data were obtained on the allegation that the branch manager was involved in theft in particularly large amount, his role was clarified, and the person having committed theft in the office on New Year’s Eve was identified.

Particularly, through preliminary investigation it was found that the theft had been planned in August, 2017 by the manager's initiative and an agreement on it was reached with a resident of Yerevan. According to the agreement, from August to December, 2017 the resident of Yerevan went to Vanadzor then took the key of one of the two locks of the safe from the manager and duplicated it.

On December 29, 2017 at about 17:40 the manager took the key of the second lock of the safe from the branch cashier, put it in the lock creating illusion as if he had locked the lock actually leaving it open.

On the same day at about 19:30 after the branch employees had left, the manager stole golden jewelry and money in particularly large amount from the safe.

Pursuant to the agreement, on January 1, 2018 at about 00:14 opening the branch window through technical means the resident of Yerevan entered the office, switched off the security system, opened the safe with the duplicated key, stole the rest of the jewelry and money. 

On the base of the obtained evidence charge was pressed against the manager according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 177 of RA Criminal Code and detention was chosen as a pretrial measure against him. In the result of searches a part of the stolen money and jewelry – golden jewelry with total cost of 90.600.000 AMD in 65 packages, as well as 803.000 AMD and 4.854 USD was found.

The manager pled guilty and gave testimony.

On January 8 the investigator made a decision to involve the resident of Yerevan as a defendant according to the Point 1 of the Part 3 of the Article 177 of RA Criminal Code, detention was chosen as a pretrial measure against him and search was declared. The relevant subdivision of the police was tasked to take measures to find the wanted and bring him to the investigative body.

Preliminary investigation is ongoing. Measures are taken to find all circumstances of the case.

The Head of Lori Regional Investigative Department Tatul Shushanyan was awarded with medal “For Faithfulness” and senior investigator of particularly important cases of the RA IC Lori Regional Investigative Department Taron Tadevosyan was awarded with medal of the third degree “For Impeccable Service” for conscientious implementation of their official duties, high professionalism, competently selected hypotheses and methodology in the result of which the persons having committed the alleged crime were identified in a short time.


Note; Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.