Movers Steal Computer, $10K In Bitcoin, Sheriff's Office Says

SILICON VALLEY, CA — Two of three suspects are sought in the theft Saturday of an Apple iMac computer containing $10,000 worth of Bitcoin, a Santa Clara County sheriff's official said Tuesday. Two of the alleged thieves were identified as Yessica Barajas, 18, and Welbar Quintanilla, 24, both of San Jose. Barajas has been arrested in connection with the case but Quintanilla remained at large Tuesday morning. A photo of a third yet-t0-be identified suspect was released by authorities.

The trio was hired by a Saratoga family to help them move and came recommended through a family acquaintance, according to sheriff's Sgt. Reginald Cooks. The three suspects were hired to help move belongings from the family's residence in the 20700 block of 4th Street in Saratoga into a moving truck for an agreed upon rate, Cooks said.

"Approximately 1-2 hours into the job, the three suspects demanded to be paid additional money to complete the task," Cooks said. "When the victims refuse to pay more than the agreed upon rate, the three suspects decide to compensate themselves, by forcibly taking the victims TV and Apple iMac computer valued at $3,000."

The victims told authorities the trio — described as two Hispanic men and one Hispanic woman — then drove off with the computer containing about $10,000 in Bitcoin.

The victims described the car the suspect left in as a gray-colored, two-door Lexus with the California license plate number 7PDP849.

Through cellphone video footage and statements from the victims, Cooks said responding sheriff's deputies were able to identify two of the three suspects as Barajas and Quintanilla.

"Deputies went to Barajas’s residence, conducted a search of the property, but were unable to locate the stolen property," Cooks said.

Barajas was still placed under arrest and later booked into Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of felony robbery and felony conspiracy.

Quintanilla however, remained at large Tuesday morning as sheriff’s detectives were also still working to identify and find the third suspect.

"Electronic personal devices have become wallets, capable of holding infinite amounts of currency," said Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith.

The incident remains under investigation; sheriff's officials asked anyone with any information about it to call 408-808-4431.

Photos courtesy Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office