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 Massive
That element emerged throughout a March 17 courtroom listening to in Maricopa County, the place prosecutors revealed that an unidentified third occasion 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 – instructed investigators that “Crimson” and one other particular person often known as “8” had been speaking with them by 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 response to courtroom information, 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 dwelling 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 house owner answered the door, the kids compelled their means 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 house owner later addressed the courtroom 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 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 improper course into oncoming visitors through 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.
Each youngsters now face 9 felony prices, together with aggravated assault, kidnapping, and second-degree housebreaking.
Picture: Da-kuk by way of Getty Photos
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 have been manipulated. Sullivan’s lawyer instructed the courtroom his consumer was focused on-line and that his mother and father had no information of what was occurring.
The kids themselves instructed 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 isn’t at present concerned.
The thriller determine often known as “Crimson” has not been charged and stays unidentified. Prosecutors acknowledged in open courtroom they have no idea his present whereabouts.
Featured picture from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
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