French crypto owner foils armed robbery attempt in Saint-Jean-de-Védas, triggers three-day manhunt

A 40-year-old cryptocurrency industry worker in Saint-Jean-de-Védas, a suburb of Montpellier, thwarted an armed robbery attempt early on April 11 after an attacker posing as a delivery driver gained access to his home.

According to French media outlets Actu and Midi Libre, the incident is the latest in a series of over 40 attempted crypto robbery and kidnapping attacks reported in France this year. French detectives previously revealed in a leaked police memo that overseas masterminds are commissioning these attacks after identifying crypto-owning individuals on social media.

Armed intruder poses as delivery driver

In the early hours of April 11, the family was going about their routine when the doorbell rang. A man claiming to be a delivery driver said he had a package to drop off. However, instead of leaving a parcel, he pulled a surgical mask over his face and brandished a handgun, demanding that the father hand over the keys to his crypto wallet.

The attacker, dressed in the uniform of a major delivery firm, forced the man, his wife, and their young children into the living room. Pointing the gun at the family, he demanded the private keys. The man’s evasive responses confused the attacker, who began a phone call with a suspected accomplice.

Seizing the momentary lapse in attention, the crypto worker reportedly jumped on the suspect and attempted to seize the gun. A struggle ensued before a shot was fired. The man managed to prise the weapon from the attacker’s grip, but the suspect fled the scene. Police confirmed that no one was harmed during the incident.

Three-day manhunt leads to arrest

Police units from Montpellier, Castelnau-le-Lez, and Hérault rushed to the scene after the family and neighbors called emergency services. A three-day manhunt followed before authorities located the suspect, a 25-year-old male from Hérault.

A Montpellier court has charged the man with attempted armed robbery and remanded him in custody at a prison in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. Detectives and prosecutors stated it was “possible” that the suspect had acted on the orders of an unnamed criminal mastermind.