Former LAPD Officer Convicted for Cryptocurrency Theft in Home Invasion

A former Los Angeles Police Department officer, Eric Halem, has been convicted of kidnapping and robbery after stealing $350,000 in cryptocurrency during a home invasion in 2024. According to NS3.AI, Halem posed as a police officer and threatened violence to coerce the victim into handing over Bitcoin keys. This incident is part of a growing trend of physical assaults on cryptocurrency holders, known as 'wrench attacks,' which have increased by 75% in 2025, resulting in losses exceeding $40 million. Experts are urging enhanced security measures to protect crypto assets.