Media Contact:  Sgt. Hauptmann
Office: 818-937-8888
Cell: 818-299-1565
Email: GPDPIO@Glendaleca.gov

On August 13, 2020, just before 10:00 p.m., a patrol officer was working a speed enforcement operation in the area of Glenoaks Blvd and Kenilworth Ave.  The officer observed a truck lead a group of vehicles into a clearly marked construction zone going approximately 50 MPH; the posted speed limit in the area is 40 MPH.  The officer then observed two vehicles rapidly accelerate at a green light, make quick lane changes, reaching speeds estimated to be approximately 70 MPH and attempting to gain advantage over one another.  Officers were able to get both vehicles stopped.  The drivers were identified as 25-year-old Hakop Terteryan of Van Nuys and 24-year-old Misha Arakelyan of Glendale.  Terteryan was found to be driving on a suspended license.  Terteryan and Arakelyan were both arrested for participating in an illegal speed contest and both of their vehicles were impounded.  Terteryan was also arrested for a suspended license violation.

On August 13, 2020, around 11:00 p.m., a patrol officer was driving in the area of Pacific Ave and Glenoaks Blvd when they observed two vehicles travelling at high rates of speed.  The vehicles continued on Glenoaks Blvd as they attempted to gain an advantage over one another, jockeying for position, reaching speeds in excess of 60 MPH.  The officer was able to catch up to and stop the vehicles at a red light.  The drivers of those vehicles, identified as 21-year-old Haig Sarkissian of Los Angeles and 19-year-old Artak Davtyan of Glendale, were contacted regarding the observed violations.  Sarkissian and Davtyan were both arrested for participating in an illegal speed contest and their vehicles were impounded at the scene.

On August 16, 2020, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a patrol officer was driving on the 2 Freeway near the Mountain St exit when they observed a group of four vehicles accelerating and decelerating, rapidly challenging one another on the freeway while occupying multiple lanes.  Two of the vehicles suddenly accelerated at high speeds away from the group engaging in a speed contest.  As the officer attempted to catch up to the vehicles, one of the participants, identified as 18-year-old Edgar Diaz of Los Angeles, reached speeds near 100 MPH.   The officer was able to stop Diaz who was found to be driving unlicensed with a driver’s permit.  Diaz was subsequently arrested for participating in an illegal speed contest and driving without a license.  Diaz’s vehicle was impounded at the scene.