Gunpoint Crypto Account Robbery: DOJ Charges 3 in $6.5M Home Invasions

US prosecutors allege a gunpoint crypto account robbery spree in California, forcing victims to unlock cryptocurrency accounts during home-invasion attacks. The DOJ says a federal grand jury indicted Elijah Armstrong, Nino Chindavanh and Jayden Rucker on robbery, kidnapping and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors allege the suspects traveled from Tennessee to cities including San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale and Los Angeles, disguising themselves as delivery workers (pizza, packages and coffee) to gain entry. According to the indictment, victims were threatened, assaulted and restrained with duct tape and zip ties. In one incident tied to the gunpoint crypto account robbery, a victim was allegedly forced at gunpoint to log into crypto accounts, enabling a co-conspirator to transfer about $6.5 million to a wallet controlled by the group. Charges include conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and attempted Hobbs Act robbery, plus kidnapping and attempted kidnapping. Penalties cited range up to 20 years for certain counts, with up to life in prison for the kidnapping conspiracy charge. Defendants remain presumed innocent and the case is ongoing. Separately, CertiK reported a sharp rise in “wrench attacks” (physical robberies) in early 2026—34 verified incidents in the first four months, up 41% year over year, with estimated losses of about $101 million. Europe accounted for 82% of recorded attacks. For traders, the combined message is that crypto security risk can extend beyond exchanges and wallets into real-world coercion.