A 31-year-old man in Washington state allegedly disguised himself as a U.S. Postal Service carrier to deliver an extortion letter to a Seattle couple before forcing his way into their home and assaulting them. The incident occurred on February 20 in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. Ian Alexander Blair faces charges of burglary, assault, and extortion.
On February 20, at approximately 2:16 p.m., police responded to a 911 call about an assault in progress at a residence in the 300 block of North 74th Street in Seattle's Phinney Ridge neighborhood. According to the Seattle Police Department, the suspect, dressed as a mail carrier, had rung the doorbell and handed the 52-year-old homeowner an envelope, instructing him to open it immediately.
The letter demanded ten bitcoins—five paid upfront and five more upon delivery of certain information—related to a civil lawsuit involving the victim. It stated, in part: "My price for this is ten bitcoins: five paid up front, and five more paid once I deliver the information. It also turns out I am in possession of some information that would be of interest to the other side, regarding you and your activities. If you do not take this offer with one week, I will make an offer to the other side – and I'm sure he'll jump at the chance to put you in trouble with the law."
As the homeowner read the letter, Ian Alexander Blair, 31, allegedly pushed his way inside. He then assaulted the homeowner and, when the 50-year-old wife intervened, punched and strangled her. Officers arrived to find Blair in a physical struggle with the homeowner, with the wife standing nearby in distress.
Upon separating the pair, police discovered Blair was wearing a Tyvek-style suit under his postal uniform. A search of his bag revealed items including black Gorilla tape, heavy-duty black plastic bags, large zip ties, Tasers, a tourniquet, a lint roller, an electronic signal blocking pouch, a black beanie, a prepaid burner phone, a face mask, dark sunglasses, and a box of plastic gloves.
Blair was arrested and booked into King County Jail, where he is held on a $1 million bond. Authorities announced the charges late last month. It was not immediately clear when his court appearance is scheduled.
