SHERMAN OAKS—On October 4, police apprehended a man who used forged credit cards to fill a massive tank with gasoline.

According to Glendora police, the alleged incident occurred at approximately 11 p.m. at a Valero gas station on 934 S. Grand Ave. after the business was closed.  When an officer spotted the suspect’s van, which carried no license plates, the officer approached the suspect. The man was apparently using falsely encoded plastic credit cards to pump gas into a massive tank that was 8 feet long and 3 feet high, which is believed to have a capacity of 1,000 gallons. He then intended to load the gas tank into the back of the white cargo van.  The suspect was arrested and the van’s missing license plates were later found inside of his vehicle.

The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Sherman Oaks resident Artour Karkmazyan. He is suspected of grand theft, taking an individual’s account information and illegally using counterfeited access cards, according to Glendora police.  He posted bail, which was set at $22,535.

Authorities are currently investigating Karkmazyan’s motives and whether there are other suspects in connection with the theft.How the suspect was able to use the gas station’s machines during closed business hours is unknown as of press time.

Anyone with further information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact investigators at 626-914-8283.