Santa Barbara Police Arrest Debit Card Skimmer Suspects

Two men from Los Angeles County were arrested in Santa Barbara after investigators discovered card skimmers and cameras had been installed at two Chase Bank ATMs.

Police say that 42-year-old Mike Vartabedian from Pasadena, and Krikor Soukiassian, 37, of Glendale, were caught red-handed when an SBPD stakeout observed Soukiassian removing the skimmer and cameras from the ATMs. This process took about 30 seconds according to the SBPD.

Soukiassian then entered a car being driven by Vartabedian and the two drove away, but were stopped by SBPD officers at gunpoint shortly after. The card skimmer and cameras used in the crime were recovered, along with other evidence.

Card skimmers and cameras are used by criminals to steal debit card and credit card information and PIN numbers for fraudulent use.

The incident began when a Chase Bank fraud investigator contacted SBPD to report a card skimmer and miniature cameras had been placed at the two ATMs at the 3307 State Street Chase Bank location.

“The investigator, who was not in Santa Barbara, observed the activity via the bank and ATM security cameras,” said Sgt. Riley Harwood with the Santa Barbara Police Department. “In this instance the card skimmer had been installed on the door to the vestibule where the ATMs were located.”

An investigation into the March 30th incident revealed that Vartabedian was the person responsible for installing the devices.

Sgt. Harwood said that neither suspects would provide investigators with a statement. “They are believed to be involved in several other similar cases that have occurred throughout Southern California,” Harwood added.

Soukiassian and Vartabedian were booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail, and charged with burglary, conspiracy, and possession or use of a scanning device with intent to fraud.

Bail was set at $250,000.