Three Florida teenagers are facing serious charges after allegedly kidnapping a Las Vegas man at gunpoint, driving him to a remote Arizona desert, and stealing an estimated $4 million in cryptocurrency and NFTs. The victim was forced to walk five miles through the desert to find help, highlighting the extreme nature of the crime.

Daring Desert Kidnapping Unfolds

Last November, a man reported being abducted by three young men after hosting a cryptocurrency event in Downtown Las Vegas. The suspects approached him at his apartment complex, forced him into their vehicle, and placed a towel over his head. They threatened his life and his father's, demanding access to his financial accounts and passwords. The victim overheard another individual directing the teenagers via speakerphone.

Cross-State Ordeal and Escape

The victim was driven over 70 miles across the Nevada border into White Hills, Arizona. Once there, he was abandoned in the desert. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he walked five miles alone until he reached a gas station, where he contacted a friend for assistance.

Suspects Identified and Charged

Police investigations led to the identification of two 16-year-old suspects from Pasco County, Florida: Belal Ashraf and Austin Fletcher. Both have been certified as adults for prosecution. A third teenager, who is no longer in the United States, is also implicated. The FBI assisted in the investigation.

• Charges: Robbery, kidnapping, and extortion.
• Bail: Austin Fletcher's bail was set at $4 million. Belal Ashraf was ordered released with electronic monitoring.

Authorities tracked a suspect vehicle from Florida to Nevada, noting its presence near the victim's apartment. A gun found during a separate vehicle stop in Mississippi, linked to a suspect's family member, matched one seen in a teenager's social media profile. Furthermore, police noted that the three teenagers had a history of disturbances together at a Florida high school.

Key Takeaways

• The crime involved a sophisticated plan to extort digital assets.
• The victim endured a harrowing ordeal, including a forced desert walk.
• The suspects, though teenagers, are facing adult charges due to the severity of the crime.
• The case highlights the growing risk of digital asset theft through violent means.

Sources

• Florida teens kidnap Las Vegas man, steal $4M in cryptocurrency: police, KLAS 8 News Now.