 "Representation of Bitcoin coin cryptocurrency. File image/Reuters")
In an early‑morning heist, a thief disguised as a delivery driver robbed a San Francisco homeowner of a cellphone, a laptop and more than $11 million in cryptocurrency, according to a police report obtained by The Independent.
The incident occurred around 6:45 am on Saturday in the Mission Dolores neighbourhood. The intruder allegedly brandished a gun, then tied the homeowner up with duct tape, and fled with the victim’s digital assets.
Police confirmed that the suspect, after posing as a delivery person, “brandished a gun before tying the victim up with duct tape.” The report also said that it remains unclear whether any arrests have been made or if the victim suffered physical injuries.
This theft comes amid a growing wave of robberies targeting cryptocurrency holders, with reports suggesting that criminals are increasingly going after people with large digital wallets.
In a separate case in Los Angeles, a former LAPD cop and an alleged Israeli gangster have been charged after threatening to shoot and waterboard a teenager if he didn’t give up his crypto. In that case, Deputy District Attorney Jane Brownstone said the suspects demanded access to the teen’s Bitcoin wallet password, while holding him at gunpoint.
The San Francisco Police Department has not publicly commented on the identity of the suspect or provided an update on possible arrests.