On March 3rd, it was reported that former Los Angeles police officer Eric Halem was convicted of kidnapping and robbing a 17-year-old Bitcoin holder. Court documents show that in 2024, Halem, along with three accomplices, disguised themselves as police officers and broke into the victim’s high-rise apartment in Koreatown, stealing a hard drive containing approximately $350,000 worth of Bitcoin. Prosecutors stated that the teenager handed over the hard drive after being threatened, and his girlfriend was also controlled during the incident.
Testimony during the trial revealed that Halem and his accomplices wore vests with police insignia, took the elevator to the 18th floor, and used a password provided by an accomplice to access the apartment. They used handcuffs issued by the Los Angeles Police Department to restrain the victim and his girlfriend, demanding the hard drive. Although the teenager admitted to acquiring cryptocurrency through fraud, this did not affect the robbery charges.
Halem served 13 years with the Los Angeles Police Department before leaving in 2022. At the time of the incident, he was still a reserve officer, operating DriveLA car rental, developing apps for actors, and planning to produce a reality show. The court is scheduled to sentence him on March 31. Other defendants have not yet gone to trial, and prosecutors stated that one of them is linked to the so-called “Israeli Mafia.”
Experts point out that this case highlights the risk of cryptocurrencies becoming targets in real-world crimes and serves as a reminder for investors to securely store digital assets to prevent potential robberies and scams.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Strategy's STRC Preferred Stock Hits $1.1B Daily Volume as Bitcoin Purchases Continue
Strategy Inc.'s preferred stock STRC saw $1.1 billion in trading volume as the company continues its Bitcoin acquisition program, purchasing 13,927 BTC. STRC has become vital for raising capital, with a target of $84 billion by 2027.
GateNews6m ago
BTC 15-minute drop of 0.54%: Liquidity worsens and whales actively reduce positions, putting short-term pressure on the market
From 22:15 to 22:30 (UTC) on 2026-04-14, BTC saw a short-term pullback of 0.54% within the high-range band of 73911.6 - 74314.4 USDT, with a return of -0.54%. During this period, market swings were evident, volatility intensified, attention from the market quickly increased, and downward pressure on the order book was prominent.
The main drivers behind this unusual move were the continued deterioration of market liquidity and a clear lack of order book depth, which made the BTC price extremely sensitive to large sell orders. At the same time, during the key time window, whale wallets carried out large transfers and also engaged in active de-risking,
GateNews1h ago
Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC CME Gap Near $69,500, Tron Expands USDT Utility, and APEMARS Stage ...
The crypto market is heating up again, are you ready for the next big move? With the latest Bitcoin price prediction signaling potential upside and major ecosystems like Tron expanding utility, investors are actively searching for the next breakout opportunity and the best crypto presale. Timing
BlockChainReporter1h ago
Goldman Sachs Files for Bitcoin Premium Income ETF with SEC
Goldman Sachs has applied to the SEC to launch a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, marking its entry into the Bitcoin ETF market. This follows Morgan Stanley's recent launch of a similar product, highlighting growth in institutional Bitcoin yield-focused investments.
GateNews4h ago
BTC 跌破 74000 USDT
Gate News bot 消息，Gate 行情显示，BTC 跌破 74000 USDT，现价 73999.9 USDT。
CryptoRadar4h ago
