Glendale police detained two people in connection with a long-running retail fraud operation in which scammers exchanged genuine designer goods for counterfeits in order to obtain fraudulent refunds, Fox 11 reports.

The investigation began in February 2026 after an employee of the luxury department store chain Nordstrom reported a suspicious refund. Detectives identified a pattern dating back to 2019, when 224 purchases of high-value items were made, all of which were ultimately returned.

Authorities say that 40-year-old Arpine Sarkisyan and 32-year-old Argin Garapetyan made more than 224 purchases of designer clothing and cosmetics, returning counterfeit copies to stores and distribution centers in order to receive refunds.

During a search of the suspects’ home in Glendale on April 22, officers found a large cache of luxury items, counterfeit labels, packaging materials, and evidence that genuine goods were being resold online.

Evidence indicates that the pair resold authentic items, including brands such as YSL and Gucci, on an online marketplace. Glendale police financial crimes detectives worked in coordination with Nordstrom investigators during the investigation.

Sarkisyan and Garapetyan were arrested on suspicion of committing multiple offenses, including grand theft, receiving stolen property, and theft by false pretenses.

Sarkisyan was cited to appear in court and released the same day the search was carried out, but Garapetyan’s legal status is still being clarified.

Detectives continue to examine evidence from online platforms used to resell the stolen goods in order to determine whether other retailers were also targeted.

Although confirmed losses are currently estimated at about $50,000, investigators are auditing years of transaction history to determine whether the final figure exceeds $300,000.