A man has been charged with many theft-related felonies after the authorities became suspicious of his business activities and allege that he offered to turn back the mileage on the odometers of cars for customers leasing them from dealerships.
For the past year and a half, a man has allegedly been running a business in Glendale, Studio City, and North Hollywood for which he is accused of accepting payment for using a computer to intervene and tamper with the mileage on leased cars. The lower displayed number has reportedly cost car dealerships $76,394 to their financial services companies.
The man, identified as 44-year-old Serge Oganesian of Studio City, reportedly used a computer to change the mileage readings on odometers on 12 automobiles for his clients before the leasees returned the vehicles to the dealerships.
Oganesian was taken into custody on Thursday, one day after a warrant was issued for his arrest regarding the allegations, and he is facing charges of 13 counts of felony grand theft, 13 counts of felony computer fraud, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime, for which he could spend over 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
According to a statement released by the District Attorney’s office, Oganesian’s bail was set at $761,394.
Oganesian entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment hearing on Monday at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. He is due back in court on October 30 for a preliminary hearing where it will be determined if enough proof of his involvement in the charges for a trial to ensue.
He is still incarcerated in lieu of his ordered bail amount.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft crime, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.