Owner of San Fernando Valley recycling company accused of receiving stolen metal from cities – Whittier Daily News

The owner of a San Fernando Valley recycling company was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen goods in connection with the theft of several thousand pounds of metal from local communities – including street light wiring and a bronze plaque, authorities said.

Bedros Zhamkochian, the owner of Tuxford Recycling, was arrested on Friday, Sept. 13, during a compliance sweep conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department at recycling centers and metal storage facilities, authorities said.

Zhamkochian, 56, was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen goods and released on bail, according to the LAPD and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

When a reporter called the store to comment on the allegations, a man said before hanging up, “That's (swear word). You can write that.”

According to the authorities, the following items were seized during the investigation:

— 290 pounds of street lighting cable allegedly stolen from the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting, estimated value $2,000

— 290 pounds of street lighting wire stolen from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, estimated value $10,000

– a 256-pound bronze plaque stolen from the city of Burbank, estimated value $10,000

– 3,366 pounds of copper and aluminum wire stolen from Caltrans, estimated value $24,000

“Due to the amount of copper and aluminum wire seized, as well as a bronze City of Burbank plaque, the owner of Tuxford Recycling, Bedros 'Peter' Zhamkochian, was arrested for … receiving stolen goods,” the LAPD said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the LAPD's Economic Crimes Unit at 213-486-5920. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.