Texas Brothers Charged Federally for $8 Million Cryptocurrency Kidnapping and Robbery in Minnesota
Two Texas brothers have been federally charged following a harrowing kidnapping and armed robbery in Minnesota, where they allegedly held a family hostage for hours and stole $8 million worth of cryptocurrency.
The FBI and local law enforcement arrested Raymond Christian Garcia, 23, and Isiah Angelo Garcia, 24, residents of Waller, Texas, in connection with the crime that unfolded last week in eastern Minnesota near Mahtomedi.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded late Friday afternoon to a 911 call from a man reporting that his family was held at gunpoint inside their Grant, Minnesota home. According to charging documents, the family was held hostage for approximately nine hours. The attackers forced the father to transfer funds twice from different cryptocurrency wallets, first transferring $36,000 remotely, then compelling the victim to drive about three hours to a family cabin where another $36,000 was taken from a second crypto wallet.
Authorities describe the crime as a sophisticated armed robbery and kidnapping scheme targeting cryptocurrency assets. The victims told investigators the attacker might have accessed their account information through a previous data breach.
The incident caused significant community concern; Mahtomedi Public Schools canceled its homecoming football game as law enforcement searched for the suspects in the vicinity of Mahtomedi High School, located less than a mile from the victim’s home.
During the investigation, police discovered a rented vehicle linked to the suspects through a receipt found at a nearby Wendy’s restaurant. The vehicle was rented in Houston, Texas, on September 16.
In a search near the victim’s property, officers found a suitcase containing an AR-15 style rifle, clothing, and other items linked to the crime. This evidence was instrumental in identifying and locating the suspects back in Texas, where both men were arrested on Monday following a multi-agency investigation involving local, state, and federal partners.
Charging documents filed in Washington County District Court allege multiple severe felonies for each brother, including three counts of using a firearm to kidnap, three counts of first-degree assault during a burglary with a firearm, and one count of first-degree robbery using a firearm. Additionally, federal charges have been brought against the men for their roles in the cryptocurrency heist and kidnapping.
Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry commended the efforts of investigators and law enforcement partners for their relentless pursuit of justice. “Their unwavering commitment to justice has brought resolution to a deeply traumatizing criminal act, providing peace to the family affected,” he said.
The case underscores emerging challenges law enforcement faces involving digital assets and sophisticated crimes blending traditional violent acts with cybercrime elements.
The Garcia brothers remain in custody as legal proceedings move forward, and authorities continue efforts to recover the stolen cryptocurrency assets.