$8M in Crypto Stolen in Armed Kidnapping; Suspects Arrested in Texas

Two brothers have been federally charged after allegedly kidnapping a Washington County family and stealing $8 million in cryptocurrency during a nine-hour ordeal.

Crypto Kidnapping Charges

The U.S. has charged two brothers accused of orchestrating a violent nine-hour home invasion in Washington County, during which they allegedly stole $8 million in cryptocurrency. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Raymond Christian Garcia, 23, and Isiah Angelo Garcia, 24, were armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun when they stormed the family’s residence on the morning of September 19.

Law enforcement apprehended the pair in Texas on September 22. The following day, they were charged in Washington County with multiple offenses, including three counts of kidnapping with a firearm, one count of first-degree aggravated robbery, and three counts of first-degree burglary. On September 24, federal charges of kidnapping were added, with both men expected to appear in court the next day.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson condemned the incident, stating:

“A violent kidnapping that stole $8 million and silenced a homecoming game is not just a crime. It is a blow to the sense of safety of everyone in Minnesota… Every Minnesotan deserves to live in peace and a life unaffected by rampant crime.”

After subduing the victims—a man, his wife, and their adult son—one of the brothers forced the man to transfer large sums of cryptocurrency to a designated address. Throughout the ordeal, the brothers were reportedly in contact with an unidentified third party who provided instructions and information, including details about additional funds stored on a hardware wallet.

When confronted by one of the brothers, the victim disclosed that the wallet was located at a family cabin roughly three hours away. Isiah Garcia, armed with the shotgun, then compelled the man to drive there, where further cryptocurrency transfers were made.

Meanwhile, back at the residence, Victim 1’s son seized a brief moment when Raymond Garcia left the house to call 911. Deputies arrived to find the wife and son zip tied inside. Raymond fled the scene, leaving behind a suitcase containing a disassembled AR-15-style rifle, ammunition, clothing, and beverages. Isiah Garcia also evaded immediate arrest, abandoning the victim’s truck near Mahtomedi Public Schools, prompting the cancellation of a homecoming football game due to safety concerns.

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