Two High Schoolers Charged in Arizona Home Invasion Targeting $66M in Crypto
Two youngsters from California are going through critical felony expenses after authorities say they traveled tons of of miles to hold out a violent residence invasion in Scottsdale, Arizona, in a bid to acquire cryptocurrency believed to be value $66 million.
Key Takeaways:
- Two California teenagers allegedly traveled over 600 miles to hold out a violent residence invasion focusing on $66 million in cryptocurrency.
- Police arrested the suspects shortly after they fled the scene and recovered restraints and a 3D-printed firearm.
- Investigators say unknown contacts on an encrypted messaging app directed the plot and funded provides.
According to court records cited by local media, the 16- and 17-year-old suspects drove greater than 600 miles from San Luis Obispo County and arrived at a residence in the Sweetwater Ranch neighborhood on the morning of Jan. 31 sporting delivery-style uniforms resembling these utilized by transport carriers.
Investigators say they compelled entry into the house, restrained two adults with duct tape and demanded entry to digital property.
One sufferer denied holding cryptocurrency, after which the confrontation escalated into bodily assault.
Police Stop Suspects After Violent Home Invasion Attempt
Police have been alerted when an grownup son elsewhere in the home referred to as emergency companies. Officers arriving on the property discovered a battle underway and one sufferer screaming.
The suspects fled in a blue Subaru however have been stopped at a useless finish shortly afterward.
Authorities recovered zip ties, duct tape, stolen license plates and a 3D-printed firearm with out ammunition. It stays unclear whether or not the weapon was purposeful.
Both teenagers have been initially positioned in juvenile detention however prosecutors intend to strive them as adults. Each faces eight counts together with kidnapping, aggravated assault and housebreaking, whereas the older suspect additionally faces an illegal flight cost.
They have been later launched on $50,000 bail and fitted with digital monitoring units.
Investigators say the youthful suspect informed police the pair had lately met and have been directed by unknown people speaking by means of the encrypted messaging platform Signal.
The contacts, recognized solely as “Red” and “8,” allegedly equipped the handle and despatched $1,000 for disguises and gear bought at retail shops.
The suspect additionally claimed he had been pressured into collaborating after being invited on a visit to “tie individuals up” for entry to cryptocurrency.
Wrench Attacks on Crypto Holders Rise Sharply in 2025
The case displays a broader rise in so-called wrench attacks, bodily assaults aimed toward forcing crypto holders handy over non-public keys.
Security researcher Jameson Lopp’s public database lists roughly 70 such incidents in 2025, a pointy enhance from the earlier 12 months.
The Scottsdale assault is the primary recorded US case of 2026, although many incidents are believed to go unreported.
Security analysts say criminals are more and more utilizing leaked private knowledge to determine targets and recruiting younger perpetrators on-line to scale back traceability.
A current business breach involving buyer identification info has been cited by investigators as an element rising publicity dangers.
Authorities haven’t linked the incident to separate cryptocurrency ransom calls for reported the identical day in Tucson, about two hours away.
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