On December 22, 2025, a Sealy Police Patrol Sergeant located a commercial motor vehicle linked to a suspected cargo theft reported by an out-of-state agency. The vehicle was identified using mobile Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology.
A joint investigation by Sealy Police Patrol and Sealy Police Criminal Investigations Division (CID) determined that the suspect had stolen a cargo load valued at more than $230,000 from a local Sealy business just minutes before the traffic stop.
The suspect, Arman Karapetyan, 37, was taken into custody and has been charged locally with:
• Forgery of a Financial Instrument – First-Degree Felony
• Theft of Property – Second-Degree Felony
What these charges mean under Texas law
- Forgery of a Financial Instrument (F1) generally involves altering, creating, or using a financial document (such as checks or other negotiable instruments) with intent to defraud or harm another.
- A first-degree felony in Texas can carry a possible punishment of 5 to 99 years or life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000, if convicted.
- Theft of Property (F2) at this level typically applies when the value of stolen property falls within a high dollar range.
- A second-degree felony in Texas can carry a possible punishment of 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, if convicted.
(All charges are allegations. Guilt or innocence will be determined in court.)
Additional investigation
Further investigation using ALPR technology and advanced investigative tools has linked Karapetyan to three additional out-of-state cargo theft cases as a result of this stop. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.
Sealy Police would like to thank the Texas Department of Public Safety CID for their assistance in this investigation.
What is ALPR technology?
Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology uses high-speed cameras and software to scan, read, and record license plates. It allows law enforcement to quickly compare plates against databases connected to stolen vehicles, wanted suspects, or vehicles linked to criminal investigations. Mobile ALPR systems can be mounted on patrol units, enabling officers to identify vehicles of interest in real time.
