Crime & Safety

Police: Man Installs Skimming Devices in La Quinta ATM, Tries To Use Stolen Info in Palm Desert

Police allege the man tried to use stolen debit/credit card information at a Palm Desert Chase Bank.

A Los Angeles man was arrested this week on suspicion of installing credit card "skimming" devices at local ATMs, and then using stolen account information at a Palm Desert bank, sheriff's officials said Thursday.

29-year-old Vahe Ruben Yerkanyan was arrested Tuesday at the Chase Bank on Country Club Drive, near Cook Street, according to Sheriff's Sergeant Steve DaSilva.

According to DaSilva, the bank contacted police when the Sun Valley man "was using stolen account information."

Once officials had him in custody, they were able to link him to recent fraud incidents at the Chase Bank on Highway 111 in La Quinta, according to the sergeant.

"Investigation revealed a male adult entered the ATM vestibule on three separate occasions during the day and installed and removed skimming devices on the ATM machines," he said, adding that the bank discovered those devices on May 12.

Yerkanyan was taken to the Indio jail, where he was booked on felony charges of second degree burglary and credit card theft, according to jail records.  His bail was set at $5,000.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Investigator Ken Willow from the Thermal Sheriff's Station Investigations Bureau at 760-863-8461.


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