LoJack device helps officers find stolen car in Costa Mesa

A Newport Beach resident arrested on suspicion of car theft was expected to be arraigned Thursday at the Orange County Central Jail complex.

Costa Mesa police said in a news release that Jay Bagramian, 25, admitted to the theft. He also was found to have violated probation, police said.

According to authorities, Bagramian took a backpack Tuesday from an unlocked locker at the 24-Hour Fitness at 555 W. 19th St. in Costa Mesa. In the backpack, he found keys to a silver 2003 Toyota Camry.

Alerted by a LoJack stolen-vehicle notification just before 8 p.m. that day, police intercepted Bagramian in the AutoZone parking lot at 744 W. 19th St., according to a news release.

Bagramian, whose occupation was listed in jail records as a dishwasher, was apparently arranging to sell the stolen vehicle, the release said.

The car belonged to a 73-year-old Costa Mesa resident.

Bagramian was being held without bail, according to the release.

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall