HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009_12_29_09_Wanted_Skimming Ring
BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE William Rector, Chief of Police ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Sergeant Mary DeGeare Public
Information Officer 661-326-3803 mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us For Immediate Release December 29, 2009 Bakersfield Police Investigators have identified two of the suspects responsible for
using stolen credit card information through the recently reported skimming device operation at local gas stations. The suspects are identified as: Arman Martikian who is described as
male of Armenian decent, 5’6”, 150 pounds, dark shaved hair, clean shaven and Artak Martikian who is described as a male of Armenian decent, 5’5”, 150 pounds, dark shaved hair, mustache
and goatee. They are possibly driving a silver 2002 Ford Taurus California license number 4WVC975. Both are wanted for an arrest warrant charging 5 counts of burglary at a local store
using stolen credit card information through a skimming device at a service station in Simi Valley, Ca. The Martikians are believed to be part of a ring which travels up and down the
state installing skimming devices inside gas pump housings. Unsuspecting customers swipe their credit and debit cards at the pump to pay for gas and the information on the card is captured
by the skimming device. The information is then retrieved manually by the suspects or in some cases wirelessly downloaded from a nearby location. Suspects then apply the credit card
account number to a blank card and make purchases on the card in other cities. The attached surveillance photo is of Artak Martikian making a purchase with stolen credit card information
at a Target in Bakersfield. Bakersfield Police are working with other agencies to identify and arrest other ring members. The Martikians are believed to be nomadic but have a last known
address in Los Angeles Ca. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of either suspect is encouraged to call Detective Scott Miller at 326-3552.
Arman Martikian Artak Martikian Skimming device