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Bitcoin Heist Gone Wild: Teens Cross 600 Miles To Rob Couple Of $66M In Crypto

A person figuring out himself solely as “Red” allegedly ran the entire operation from someplace distant — and police nonetheless don’t know who he’s.

Bitcoin Robbery Mastermind Still At Large

That detail emerged throughout a March 17 court docket listening to in Maricopa County, the place prosecutors revealed that an unidentified third social gathering was on a cellphone name with two California youngsters all through a violent dwelling invasion in Scottsdale, Arizona, directing their each transfer in actual time.

The youngsters – Jackson Sullivan, 17, and Skylar LaPaille, 16 – advised investigators that “Red” and one other particular person often called “8” had been speaking with them via the encrypted app Signal — and had handed them $1,000 to purchase provides earlier than the job.

The target was a pair believed to carry $66 million in bitcoin.

According to court docket information, Sullivan and LaPaille drove roughly 600 miles from San Luis Obispo, California, arriving at a house close to 98th Street on Windrose Drive on the morning of January 30.

Tied And Beaten

They got here dressed in delivery driver uniforms bought on-line. They introduced a faux bundle and a dolly. When the home-owner answered the door, the kids pressured their manner inside.

What adopted was brutal. The couple was restrained with duct tape and overwhelmed repeatedly whereas the intruders demanded entry to their cryptocurrency wallets.

The home-owner later addressed the court docket immediately. “I’ve had a concussion. I’ve had a damaged rib,” he mentioned. “They used subterfuge to enter our home, after which he personally beat me repeatedly in my own residence.”

The couple’s grownup son was additionally in the home. He hid and known as 911.

Officers Arrived While The Break-In Was Still Happening

Police reached the house earlier than the kids had left. Sullivan and LaPaille fled, driving a automobile with stolen plates, at one level going the flawed route into oncoming visitors throughout the chase.

They have been arrested simply after 11:30 a.m. on January 31. Left behind on the scene: duct tape, zip ties, a 3D-printed unloaded gun, and a burner cellphone.

Both youngsters now face 9 felony prices, together with aggravated assault, kidnapping, and second-degree burglary.

Sullivan was launched on a $50,000 cash-only bond and is sporting an digital monitor. LaPaille’s bond was additionally set at $50,000, although it was unclear whether or not he had posted it.

Their attorneys have argued the kids have been manipulated. Sullivan’s lawyer advised the court docket his consumer was focused on-line and that his dad and mom had no information of what was occurring.

The teenagers themselves advised investigators they’d been extorted into finishing up the crime.

An FBI spokesperson confirmed the company is conscious of the investigation however mentioned it’s not at the moment concerned.

The thriller determine often called “Red” has not been charged and stays unidentified. Prosecutors acknowledged in open court docket they have no idea his present whereabouts.

Featured picture from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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