A Los Angeles judge has denied bail to two key suspects accused of orchestrating a violent home-invasion robbery targeting a 17-year-old cryptocurrency trader’s $350,000 digital wallet.
The defendants are:
- David Ben-Halom, a former LAPD officer
- A second man prosecutors allege has ties to Israeli organized crime
Both men pleaded not guilty.
Details of the Alleged Crime (Late 2024, Koreatown, Los Angeles)
Prosecutors say six men planned the operation in the Hollywood Hills, then drove to the victim’s apartment in two vehicles, including a rented Lamborghini. Posing as LAPD officers executing a search warrant, they used an entry code to gain access, wore dark clothing, and carried police-style handcuffs.
After restraining the teenager’s girlfriend, the group waited for the 17-year-old to return home. They handcuffed him and demanded access to his crypto wallet, ignoring cash, watches, and other valuables in the apartment.
When the victim initially showed an empty account, the suspects allegedly threatened to shoot him in the foot and waterboard him, even turning on a shower to demonstrate the threat. The teenager eventually opened a safe containing a hardware wallet holding approximately $350,000 in cryptocurrency.
Surveillance footage showed the intruders inside the apartment for roughly 25–30 minutes before fleeing with only the crypto wallet. Authorities are still searching for a sixth suspect.
Bail Hearing Outcome
During the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Jane Brownstone emphasized the coordinated nature of the crime and the suspects’ alleged impersonation of police officers.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Victoria Wilson denied bail for both defendants, citing the seriousness of the allegations, the use of police impersonation, and the risk to public safety. The judge determined that standard jail protections were sufficient despite defense concerns about the former officer’s safety in custody.
The case remains ongoing, with the two primary suspects held without bail.