A person figuring out himself solely as “Crimson” allegedly ran the entire operation from someplace distant — 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 – advised investigators that “Crimson” and one other particular person referred to 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 information, Sullivan and LaPaille drove roughly 600 miles from San Luis Obispo, California, arriving at a house close to 98th Avenue 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 Crushed
They got here wearing supply driver uniforms bought on-line. They introduced a pretend 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 crushed 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 referred to as 911.
Officers Arrived Whereas The Break-In Was Nonetheless Occurring
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 unsuitable course into oncoming site 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 fees, together with aggravated assault, kidnapping, and second-degree housebreaking.
Picture: Da-kuk through 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 kids had been manipulated. Sullivan’s lawyer advised the court docket his shopper was focused on-line and that his dad and mom had no information of what was taking place.
The teenagers themselves advised investigators that they had been extorted into finishing up the crime.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed the company is conscious of the investigation however mentioned it’s not at present concerned.
The thriller determine referred to 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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