Former LAPD officer is accused of stealing debit and credit cards from civilians visiting individuals in custody at the detention center in 2023 

February 22, 2024 - LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón on Wednesday announced that former Los Angeles Police Officer Edmond Babaians, a 15-year LAPD veteran, is charged with stealing debit and credit cards from four individuals as they entered through the security checkpoint at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles between approximately July 14 and July 23, 2023.

“Law enforcement is entrusted with protecting and serving the community, and the alleged actions of former officer Babaians in the course of his duties severely breaches this trust,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Officers of the law are expected to embody the highest standards of integrity and duty when they protect the residents of Los Angeles County. Departure from these rigorous standards undermines the public’s trust in law enforcement and will not be tolerated. My office is pursuing all measures to ensure that the former officer is held accountable.”

Edmond Babaians (43) is charged in case 24CJCF01126 with three felony and one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of access cards.

Babaians is scheduled to be arraigned February 23 in Dept. 30 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

Babaians worked at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles where he had been assigned to LAPD’s Custody Services Division since November 2018. His duties included providing security in the lobby and checking visitors’ property for any contraband as they entered the facility to visit individuals in custody.

It is alleged that, from approximately July 14 through July 23, 2023, Babaians stole debit and credit cards from four people as they entered through the security checkpoint. He also allegedly made several purchases with the stolen cards.

Babaians is no longer employed by the LAPD.

The Los Angeles Superior Court set Babaians’ bail at $20,000.

If convicted as charged, Babaians will face a maximum sentence of five years and four months in county jail.

The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division.

Any persons who feel that they also may be victims in this matter are asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at (800) 339-6868.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney