Cryptocurrency worth £1.1m stolen during car raid in Oxford

In a brazen daylight robbery in Oxford, masked thieves stole cryptocurrency valued at £1.1 million and a luxury watch from victims in a car, leading to four arrests after a complex police investigation. The incident occurred on the afternoon of November 4, 2025, when two men and three women were traveling in a vehicle in Oxford. A group of masked men forcibly entered the car, initiating a terrifying 30-minute ordeal for the occupants. During the confrontation, the perpetrators stole mobile phones and a high-end watch estimated to be worth approximately £450,000. More significantly, they compelled one of the victims to transfer cryptocurrency valued at around £1.1 million out of their digital wallet to an account controlled by the criminals. After the robbery, the offenders abandoned the vehicle in the Five Mile Drive area of Oxford and fled the scene. Thames Valley Police were alerted and launched an immediate and detailed investigation into the high-value theft and associated crimes. Detective Sergeant Stuart McMaster described the inquiry as “complex,” noting that it involved multiple investigative strands. Officers conducted house-to-house enquiries, reviewed extensive CCTV footage, utilized automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology, and performed digital and forensic analyses to trace the cryptocurrency and identify suspects. The investigation also included financial inquiries specifically targeting the digital asset transfer, as cryptocurrencies can be challenging to track and recover. This comprehensive approach led to coordinated raids, with warrants executed in London and Birmingham. Four men were arrested in connection with the crime: a 21-year-old from London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery, kidnap, and driving offences; a 37-year-old from London for robbery and kidnap; a 23-year-old from Kent for robbery and kidnap; and a 19-year-old from Birmingham for robbery, kidnap, and possession of articles for use in fraud. All four suspects have been released on police bail while inquiries continue. The 21-year-old is bailed until January 14, 2026; the 37-year-old until January 30; the 23-year-old until February 7; and the 19-year-old until January 29. Police emphasize that the investigation is ongoing and may result in further arrests or charges as additional evidence is gathered. Authorities are seeking public assistance to advance the case, appealing for any witnesses or footage of specific vehicles—a black BMW saloon, a blue Hyundai Ioniq, or a silver Mercedes Benz Vito. These vehicles were seen in the Yarnton Road and Sandy Lane areas between Kidlington and Yarnton, as well as in Five Mile Drive, Carey Close, Rotherfield Road, and Kirk Close in Oxford between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on the day of the robbery. This incident underscores the growing vulnerabilities associated with high-value digital assets and the sophisticated tactics employed by organized crime groups. The police’s use of advanced investigative methods highlights ongoing efforts to combat such offences, and the outcome of this case could influence future security measures and legal frameworks for cryptocurrency holders, potentially leading to enhanced protections and awareness.