A former officer of the Los Angeles Police Department has been convicted of kidnapping and theft after breaking into an apartment in 2024 to steal $350,000 in cryptocurrency. A jury at Los Angeles County Superior Court found Eric Halem guilty after a two-week trial, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Prosecutors said Halem, along with three others, impersonated police officers, wearing shirts labeled “police” and using access codes to enter an apartment rented by a 17-year-old. The group is accused of handcuffing the victim and his girlfriend, threatening to shoot if they did not surrender a hard drive containing Bitcoin.
The case is considered part of a global wave of “wrench attack” crimes targeting cryptocurrency investors. According to CertiK, 72 similar incidents were recorded in 2025, a 75% increase from the previous year. Halem is expected to be sentenced on March 31, while his accomplices await trial.
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
Crypto Reporter: US Judges Show Divergent Attitudes Toward DeFi Developers, "Neutral Infrastructure" Could Become a Key Criterion
On March 10th, crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett pointed out that U.S. Judge Failla showed a different attitude when presiding over cases involving Tornado Cash and Uniswap developers, considering Uniswap as neutral infrastructure, while viewing Tornado Cash as involved in illegal financial activities, which could influence the future liability determination for DeFi project developers.
GateNews11m ago
U.S. prosecutors insist on re-examining Tornado Cash founder, Roman Storm laments: Writing open-source code should only warrant 40 years in prison
Manhattan prosecutors in the United States have requested a re-examination of the money laundering and sanctions violation charges against Tornado Cash founder Roman Storm, despite the jury failing to reach a consensus. Storm responded by stating he faces the risk of 40 years in prison and criticized the Department of Justice for double standards. The crypto community also expressed disappointment with the prosecutors' approach.
動區BlockTempo1h ago
The Tornado Cash case will be reexamined, and Roman Storm faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Roman Storm faces a retrial, with a maximum possible sentence of 40 years for conspiracy charges related to Tornado Cash. The jury was divided on the core charges, and a retrial requires resolving a motion for acquittal first. This case has sparked conflicting reactions from the U.S. government regarding cryptocurrency privacy policies, with the Treasury Department acknowledging the legal use of mixers, while the Department of Justice continues to pursue criminal prosecution, highlighting policy confusion. The industry has expressed strong concern over this.
MarketWhisper1h ago
Jason Atkins: China's RWA ban signals market direction; the dollarization trend of stablecoins cannot be stopped
China issues a ban on unauthorized Renminbi-pegged stablecoins and considers RWA tokenization activities illegal, aiming to prevent industry expansion. Analysts believe that this ban cannot stop the global demand for USD stablecoins, and Hong Kong's stablecoin licensing may also present opportunities for Chinese-funded banks, indicating a subtle regulatory adjustment. Overall, China's measures are targeted at the domestic market rather than an obstacle to global RWA development.
MarketWhisper2h ago
South Korea's National Tax Service shows mnemonic phrases, 4.8 million USD worth of cryptocurrency stolen! The thief returned it only to steal it again
South Korea's National Tax Service accidentally leaked cryptocurrency seed phrases, leading to assets worth approximately $4.8 million being stolen. The first thief surrendered and returned the assets, but they were stolen again by others. Experts criticized the National Tax Service for not taking necessary protective measures, and authorities admitted the mistake and promised to strengthen security systems.
CryptoCity4h ago
U.S. Department of Justice Reopens Case Against Tornado Cash Co-Founder Roman Storm, Reigniting Two Cryptocurrency Crime Charges
The U.S. Department of Justice has requested a retrial for Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm on charges of money laundering and violating sanctions. The initial trial ended in a hung jury, and the case remains unresolved. This case will have a profound impact on crypto privacy tools and blockchain regulation.
GateNews5h ago
