California High School Students Busted in Home Invasion Crypto Heist Plot
Two California high school students just tried to skip the whole 'learn to code' phase of crypto wealth—and went straight for armed robbery.
The Failed Get-Rich-Quick Scheme
Forget mining rigs or trading bots. The alleged plan was decidedly analog: target a specific individual, force entry into their home, and physically seize cryptocurrency assets. Details remain under wraps, but the sheer audacity of the plot highlights a dark, desperate side of the digital gold rush. It's a stark reminder that while blockchain ledgers are immutable, the path people take to get on them can be terrifyingly primitive.
When HODLing Turns Criminal
This isn't a sophisticated hack or a flash loan attack. This is old-school crime with a new-age target. It underscores a brutal reality: as crypto values soar, the assets become a tangible lure for violence. Security narratives often focus on seed phrases and hardware wallets, but this case screams about physical security and operational silence. Your biggest vulnerability might not be your private key—it could be your front door.
The finance world will tut-tut about 'uncorrelated assets' and 'hedges against inflation,' but try explaining that to someone facing a home invasion. Sometimes, the most volatile thing in crypto isn't the market—it's the human desperation it can inspire.
California high schoolers arrested in home invasion plot
The police said they were able to chase the suspects, who drove off in a blue Subaru after fleeing through the back door of the house. The pursuit ended when the boys were boxed in at a dead-end, the police statement said.
The police were able to identify the first culprit as a 17-year-old from San Luis Obispo, who attended the San Luis Obispo High School, while the second was a 16-year-old from Morro Bay, who attended Pacific Beach High School in the same area.
The California high schoolers claimed they were sent $1,000 to buy disguises and restraining devices. They were also given the address of the home in Scottsdale’s Sweetwater Ranch neighborhood, 600 miles from where they live.
The California students claimed that their contact on the Signal encrypted messaging app, whom they only identified as 8 and Red, instructed them to get into the house and force the residents to hand over their digital assets to them, the duo said.
The police said they found UPS-style clothing, zip ties, duct tape, and a 3D-printed gun left behind at the scene after the attackers fled.
The mother of one of the teens also reportedly contacted police in California after accessing phone messages concerning the plot, but the Scottsdale police said they didn’t receive the information until after the break-in was carried out. The boys were booked into a Maricopa County juvenile detention facility on several charges.
Police confirm charges as search continues for Nancy Guthrie
According to the police, the duo will be charged with crimes including aggravated assault, kidnapping, and second-degree burglary. They have since been released on $50,000 bail with ankle monitors fitted to monitor their movements.
The police didn’t report whether the homeowners suffered any injuries during the invasion. They claimed that their adult son had been in the home with them when the invasion occurred and was able to call 911 while hiding from the intruders.
The home invasion took place in Scottsdale, about two hours north of Tucson, where investigators are still trying to piece together what happened to Nancy Guthrie, the mother of host Savannah Guthrie.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at home around 9:30 PM on January 31, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators believe Nancy was abducted. Her blood was found on her porch during the investigation, authorities said on Thursday.
In addition to her disappearance, TMZ reported receiving a possible ransom note that millions of dollars in digital assets be sent to a specific bitcoin address. The wallet address was confirmed to be functional.
According to authorities, the note also contained a deadline, with TMZ also reportedly receiving an element of or else. The note lists two deadlines, with TMZ noting that the latter is more serious. The FBI confirmed that the first deadline was 5 PM on Thursday, while the second deadline is on Monday.
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