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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Three sentenced in ‘Operation Bear Claw’ investigation; fourth defendant pending trial
A bizarre insurance fraud scheme involving a bear costume, luxury vehicles and falsified damage claims has now ended in convictions for three Los Angeles area residents following a California Department of Insurance investigation dubbed “Operation Bear Claw.”
The defendants used a person in a bear suit to stage fake attacks on high-end vehicles, then submitted fraudulent claims seeking payouts from insurance companies.
“What may have looked unbelievable turned out to be exactly that — and now those responsible are being held accountable,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “My Department’s investigators uncovered the facts, exposed this scam, and helped bring these defendants to justice. Insurance fraud is a serious crime that drives up costs for consumers, and no scheme is too outrageous for us to investigate.”
Sentencing outcomes include:
• Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village, pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud (injuring or destroying insured property). She was sentenced to 180 days in jail (to be served through a weekend jail program), two years of supervised probation, and ordered to pay $55,360 in restitution.
• Ruben Tamrazian, 26, of Glendale, pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud (injuring or destroying insured property). He was sentenced to 180 days in jail (weekend jail program), two years of supervised probation, and ordered to pay $52,268 in restitution.
• Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, of Glendale, pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud (presenting a false insurance claim). He was sentenced to 180 days in jail (weekend jail program), two years of supervised probation, with restitution to be determined.
• Ararat Chirkinian, 39, of Glendale, is scheduled to return to court September 2026 for a preliminary hearing.
The investigation began after an insurance company flagged a suspicious claim tied to a January 28, 2024, incident in Lake Arrowhead.
The suspects claimed a bear entered their 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost and caused interior damage, submitting video footage to support the claim.
Upon further review, department detectives determined the “bear” in the video was a person wearing a bear costume.
Investigators later uncovered two additional fraudulent claims submitted to separate insurance companies involving the same date and location, this time tied to a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350.
To further verify the deception, a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed the footage and concluded the animal shown was clearly a human in a bear suit.
Detectives later executed a search warrant and recovered the costume from the suspects’ home.
The total loss to the insurance companies was $141,839.
Department detectives were assisted by the Glendale Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Increase in seabird deaths not linked to avian influenza.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, has been investigating increased reports of debilitated and dead seabirds on California beaches.
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- Written by: Mendocino National Forest
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – A partial road closure is in place on the 22N11 Road in the Covelo Ranger District.
Location of the closure is shown on the map below.
The closure is for public safety after a road failure in the area has made vehicle travel unsafe and at risk of collapse without warning under the weight of a vehicle.
The road closure will be temporary until repairs are completed and the road restored.
Visitors can check for forest alerts online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/mendocino/alerts.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities this week seized cash, weapons, vehicles and a stuffed wolf during a search warrant service at a cannabis site.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the California Highway Patrol, with assistance from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Cannabis Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, executed a search warrant at the cannabis cultivation operation as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into stolen vehicles with altered vehicle identification numbers.
After securing the property, the Department of Cannabis Control found the site operating illegally.
Investigators identified multiple environmental violations, including the unlawful diversion of water for the irrigation of the cannabis operation. Officers also found unpermitted structures used for cooking and habitation.
Based on those findings, investigators obtained and executed a second search warrant.
Following service of the second warrant, officers seized the following items as evidence:
• 3,395 pounds of processed illicit cannabis.
• One fully automatic AK-47 assault rifle.
• One short-barreled shotgun.
• Four pistols.
• One rifle.
• A stolen 2022 Polaris RZR.
• Four VIN-switched stolen vehicles: 2025 Ford F-350 King Ranch (approximate value $90,000); 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 (approximate value $38,000); 2023 Cadillac Escalade (approximate value $67,000); Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss (approximate value $39,000).
• Hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
• Counterfeit identification documents.
• Cellular phones.
• One mounted wolf seized as contraband by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Investigators also located a safe containing high-end jewelry and approximately $15,000 to $20,000 in U.S. currency within the residence and other structures. Authorities seized the property under asset forfeiture laws. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department will handle asset forfeiture proceedings in coordination with the CHP and the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office.
During the operation, investigators located three cannabis-processing workers at the site. Following further investigation, officers determined the individuals were likely victims of labor trafficking. Authorities provided the workers with information and support services from the Northern California Coalition to Safeguard Communities.
“This case highlights the evolving nature of organized criminal enterprises operating in our rural communities,” said CHP Northern Division Commander Chief John Pinoli. “What began as an investigation into stolen vehicles uncovered an illicit cannabis operation, illegal firearms, environmental crimes, and individuals who may have been exploited for labor. Our personnel and partner agencies remain committed to protecting the public, safeguarding natural resources, and holding those who profit from criminal activity accountable.”
Prosecutors will file all criminal charges via complaint.
