A person figuring out himself solely as “Crimson” allegedly ran the entire operation from someplace far-off — and police nonetheless don’t know who he’s.
Bitcoin Theft Mastermind Nonetheless At Giant
That element emerged throughout a March 17 court docket listening to in Maricopa County, the place prosecutors revealed that an unidentified third celebration was on a telephone name with two California youngsters all through a violent house invasion in Scottsdale, Arizona, directing their each transfer in actual time.
The youngsters – Jackson Sullivan, 17, and Skylar LaPaille, 16 – instructed investigators that “Crimson” and one other particular person generally known as “8” had been speaking with them via the encrypted app Sign — and had handed them $1,000 to purchase provides earlier than the job.
The goal was a pair believed to carry $66 million in bitcoin.
In accordance with court docket data, Sullivan and LaPaille drove roughly 600 miles from San Luis Obispo, California, arriving at a house close to 98th Road on Windrose Drive on the morning of January 30.
Teenage Scottsdale house burglars tried to steal $66 million in crypto, police say https://t.co/vqPtYJEORl pic.twitter.com/gprkdHnjvs
— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) March 27, 2026
Picture: CPBC
Tied And Overwhelmed
They got here wearing supply driver uniforms bought on-line. They introduced a faux package deal and a dolly. When the house owner answered the door, the teenagers compelled 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 house owner later addressed the court docket immediately. “I’ve had a concussion. I’ve had a damaged rib,” he stated. “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 referred to as 911.
Officers Arrived Whereas The Break-In Was Nonetheless Taking place
Police reached the house earlier than the teenagers had left. Sullivan and LaPaille fled, driving a car with stolen plates, at one level going the mistaken path into oncoming visitors through the chase.
They had 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 telephone.
Each youngsters now face 9 felony prices, together with aggravated assault, kidnapping, and second-degree housebreaking.
Picture: Da-kuk by way of Getty Photographs
Sullivan was launched on a $50,000 cash-only bond and is carrying 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 teenagers had been manipulated. Sullivan’s lawyer instructed the court docket his shopper was focused on-line and that his dad and mom had no data of what was occurring.
The kids themselves instructed investigators they’d been extorted into finishing up the crime.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed the company is conscious of the investigation however stated it isn’t at the moment concerned.
The thriller determine generally known as “Crimson” 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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