Federal prosecutors have unsealed charges against four alleged members of the Vanowen Street Locos, a North Hollywood street gang accused of acting as contract killers in a violent feud between rival Armenian organized crime figures. According to authorities, the gang members were hired to carry out targeted assassinations on behalf of one faction, turning normally quiet suburban neighborhoods of the San Fernando Valley into bloody battle zones.
A Feud That Spilled Into the Streets
The conflict centered on two reputed figures: Robert “Fish” Amiryan, 47, and Ara Artuni, 41. What began as a criminal power struggle quickly escalated into open warfare, investigators said. From 2023 to 2025, the feud produced multiple shootings, drone surveillance operations, kidnappings, and stockpiles of automatic weapons.
In May 2025, Amiryan and Artuni themselves were arrested on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, and fraud. Yet even in custody, the animosity continued. Detectives reported that Amiryan physically attacked Artuni in jail and threatened his wife in Armenian, signaling that the conflict was far from over.
Failed Hit on Amiryan’s Family
One of the most chilling incidents occurred in March 2025, when gunmen opened fire on Amiryan’s Cadillac Escalade as his wife and two children were inside. His wife was struck in the leg, but the children were unharmed. Authorities later identified Maria “Mary Oceans” Mares as the getaway driver. She had allegedly been promised $50,000 for her role, but later complained in recorded calls that she wouldn’t be paid since “it was the wife, not him” who was hit.
This attack marked a brutal escalation, showing that family members were no longer off-limits. Federal affidavits detail how conspirators openly discussed payments, failed attempts, and even disappointment about missed targets in phone calls that were later intercepted by investigators.
Earlier Attempts and Retaliation
The feud dated back to April 2023, when Amiryan was ambushed outside his apartment in Burbank. A masked gunman armed with an AR-15 rifle opened fire, striking Amiryan but failing to kill him. Amiryan’s crew allegedly retaliated by kidnapping a man they suspected of being behind the attempt. However, when police intervened, the supposed victim denied being abducted and cleared Amiryan of wrongdoing.
Just weeks later, Amiryan again came under attack. As he sat on a balcony with his wife, a red Ford F-150 pulled up and gunfire erupted from the truck bed. Amiryan was shot in the arm and abdomen while shielding his partner. Detectives later learned the truck had been purchased hours earlier using a fake passport, allegedly tied to one of Artuni’s associates.
In another violent episode in 2024, Amiryan and his associates, including convicted money launderer Vahan Harutyunyan, were targeted in North Hills. Surveillance footage and drone imagery linked the shooters to Artuni’s crew. Two masked men rose from the back of a pickup truck and unleashed a barrage of bullets into Harutyunyan’s backyard. Harutyunyan was killed, while Amiryan narrowly escaped.
Wiretaps Reveal the Plot
Authorities built much of their case from intercepted jailhouse calls and wiretaps. According to affidavits, suspects frequently complained about unpaid fees for failed hits. Christopher “Hits” Ayala was heard discussing pending attempts with fellow gang members, while Mares told her jailed boyfriend Edir “Temper” De La Cruz that she had risked her life but wasn’t receiving proper payment.
Detectives also uncovered financial records tying suspects to the alleged murder-for-hire scheme. Carlos “Spanky” Grimaldi reportedly cashed a suspicious check from a shell company linked to Artuni’s network shortly before the March 2025 shooting. Investigators believe this was partial payment for targeting Amiryan’s family.
Federal Indictments
By the time prosecutors moved forward, the case had grown into a wide-ranging federal indictment. Mares, De La Cruz, Ayala, and Grimaldi were charged with murder-for-hire, while Jose “Listo” Gonzalez Jr., another member of the Vanowen Street Locos, faced racketeering charges.
Authorities say the Vanowen Street Locos operated as a hired gun squad for Artuni’s faction, executing hits and attempting to eliminate rivals for money. Prosecutors allege the group’s reckless tactics—including shootings in public places, attacks on families, and use of military-style rifles—highlighted the brazen nature of the feud.
Ongoing Investigation
Both Amiryan and Artuni remain in federal custody, and investigators believe the case may expand further. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that higher-level Armenian crime figures, some based overseas, were involved in orchestrating or financing the feud. Artuni had traveled to Armenia and Dubai during the height of the conflict, which investigators suspect was connected to meetings with senior underworld leaders.
As the federal case proceeds, questions remain about how a feud between two men spiraled into nearly two years of violence that endangered countless bystanders. Prosecutors say the evidence—including recorded jail calls, financial transactions, drone footage, and recovered weapons—shows a chilling pattern of organized murder-for-hire operations carried out in the heart of Los Angeles.
Community Impact
The case has shaken residents of the San Fernando Valley, many of whom unknowingly lived near homes or businesses targeted by shooters. Neighborhoods like Burbank, North Hills, and Studio City became sites of violent ambushes, leaving locals alarmed. One neighbor told detectives that Harutyunyan installed a large metal fence around his property immediately after moving in, apparently anticipating attacks.
For law enforcement, the case represents one of the most complex organized crime prosecutions in recent Los Angeles history, blending traditional gang activity with international organized crime networks.