Crypto Theft Attempt in Scottsdale, AZ

A recent incident involving two teenagers and cryptocurrency occurred in Scottsdale, Arizona (in the Phoenix area). On January 31, 2026, two California high schoolers—Jackson Sullivan (17, from San Luis Obispo) and Skylar LaPaille (16, from Morro Bay)—were arrested following a violent home invasion.

They allegedly posed as delivery drivers to gain entry into a home, forced their way in, restrained two adult victims using duct tape, and assaulted them. The goal was an attempted theft/extortion of approximately $66 million in cryptocurrency (primarily Bitcoin, according to reports).

Court documents and police statements indicate this was a targeted plot, with the teens reportedly directed or motivated via messages (possibly from individuals using the Signal app under pseudonyms like “Red” and “8”) to travel from California to Arizona, purchase supplies, and carry out the crime to access and steal the victim's digital assets.

The suspects fled when police arrived but were quickly apprehended. They are being charged as adults with multiple felonies, including kidnapping, burglary, criminal impersonation, aggravated assault, and felony flight. They are currently being held in Arizona.

This case highlights the growing risks of physical crimes tied to cryptocurrency holdings, where attackers target individuals known (or believed) to hold large amounts of crypto, shifting from purely online scams to real-world invasions.

Reports come from local outlets like FOX 10 Phoenix, the San Luis Obispo Tribune, and others, with coverage emerging in early February 2026. Note that the teens are from California, but the crime and arrests took place in Arizona. No successful theft of the full amount was reported—the plot was interrupted—but the intent centered on crypto theft.

17GEN4.com