A quiet neighbourhood in Grant, Minnesota, turned into a scene of terror when two armed brothers forced their way into a family home, holding its members hostage for nine hours.
The men, Raymond Christian Garcia, 23, and Isiah Angelo Garcia, 24, confronted a man outside his property while he took out the garbage and forced him inside at gunpoint using an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun.
Once inside, they restrained the victim’s wife and adult son, binding them to the floor.
During the prolonged ordeal, Isiah Garcia compelled the father to log into his cryptocurrency accounts while Raymond remained behind guarding the other family members.
Prosecutors reported that the brothers frequently contacted an unidentified third party, who provided details about the victim’s digital assets and transfer procedures.
When the accomplice revealed that additional funds were stored on a hard drive at a family cabin three hours away, Isiah drove the victim to retrieve the assets, while Raymond maintained control of the home.
In total, $8 million in cryptocurrency was transferred to wallets controlled by the attackers, with an initial transfer of $36,000 occurring before the cabin retrieval.
A brief opportunity allowed the son to call 911 while Raymond temporarily left the property.
Responding officers discovered the remaining family members still restrained inside and caught sight of Raymond fleeing through the back door.
Authorities recovered a suitcase in the nearby woods containing a disassembled AR-15, ammunition, clothing, and receipts, which helped trace Isiah Garcia’s movements prior to the attack, including a car rental in Houston and a Motel 6 stay in Roseville, Minnesota.
The unfolding events prompted Mahtomedi Public Schools to cancel their homecoming football game to protect students, while nearby Kennedy High School later forfeited its match against Mahtomedi.
Multiple police units reportedly passed the duo as they returned from the cabin, unaware of the ongoing emergency.
The case is part of a rising wave of crypto-related kidnappings worldwide.
Analytics firm Chainalysis reported 35 “wrench attacks” in July 2025 alone, coinciding with Bitcoin prices reaching over $122,000.
France has recorded ten such incidents this year, including the attack on Ledger co-founder David Balland.
Other cases include the kidnapping of an Australian billionaire in Estonia and the forced sale of Bitcoins by an Indian businessman in 2018, resulting in life sentences for 14 men, including former police officers.
Security firms have noted increased demand for 24/7 protection for crypto executives, citing the visibility of digital wealth and weak custody practices as major risks.
After being traced through surveillance footage and receipts, the Garcia brothers were arrested on 22 September in Waller, Texas.
Isiah Angelo Garcia and Raymond Christian Garcia
Isiah later admitted to driving from Texas and participating in the kidnappings, although authorities did not recover the stolen cryptocurrency.
The pair now face federal kidnapping charges in addition to state charges, including armed kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and aggravated robbery.
Acting US Attorney Joseph H. Thompson described the crime as “a blow to the sense of safety in everyone in Minnesota,” while FBI Minneapolis Special Agent Alvin Winston Sr. labelled it “horrific” and “brazen.”
Investigators revealed that the brothers meticulously coordinated the attack.
Surveillance showed Raymond renting a motel room before the incident, while Isiah pre-booked a rental car near Houston.
The attack combined violent restraint tactics, coordination with a third party, and multiple asset transfers, demonstrating a high level of planning and knowledge of cryptocurrency systems.
Experts warn that the visible nature of digital assets and inadequate storage practices create prime opportunities for criminals.
The Minnesota case highlights how personal cryptocurrency holdings can make individuals vulnerable to violent crime, underscoring a growing global trend in high-value, tech-facilitated kidnappings.
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