Man Arrested for $50,000 Silver Jewelry Theft at Vernissage Market in Yerevan
Yerevan, August 21 – A 43-year-old resident of Nerkin Charbakh, Yerevan, has been arrested in connection with the theft of silver jewelry valued at $50,000 from a warehouse at the Vernissage open-air market. The arrest was made yesterday evening, just hours after the incident was reported to law enforcement.
The alarm was raised at 11:45 AM on August 14 (date from source, but article date is Aug 21, 2026) when the 112 operative management center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs received a report of a theft. A suitcase containing jewelry had been stolen from a warehouse at the capital’s “Vernissage” open-air market. Officers from the Yerevan City Department of Criminal Police, specializing in crimes against property, immediately rushed to the scene.
Investigations revealed that between 9:35 AM and 9:45 AM, silver jewelry worth an estimated $50,000 was stolen from the warehouse. A criminal proceeding was initiated in the investigative department of the Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts.
Through swift operational-investigative measures, criminal police identified the perpetrator as a 43-year-old resident of Nerkin Charbakh, Yerevan. The suspect was located near his home at 5:10 PM on the same day, August 14, and was arrested. He was found in possession of the stolen suitcase and was transported to the department for further questioning.
The preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish all circumstances of the theft and to determine if there were any accomplices. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the suspect’s motive or how he gained access to the warehouse.
The Vernissage market is a popular open-air market in Yerevan, known for its wide array of souvenirs, traditional Armenian crafts, and jewelry. The incident has raised concerns among vendors about security measures at the market.
This arrest highlights the efficiency of the Yerevan criminal police in responding to and resolving cases of property theft, especially those involving significant financial losses. The rapid apprehension of the suspect within hours of the report underscores the commitment of law enforcement to protecting the property of citizens and businesses in the capital.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. The police urge anyone with information related to this incident or other criminal activities to come forward and assist with their inquiries.
Source: https://www.pastinfo.am/hy/news/2026/08/20/774747447/1978299
