Thieves hooked on cryptocurrency faced the music last week as Los Angeles detectives busted a trio for allegedly fencing millions in hot high-tech hardware. The Los Angeles Police Department's Commercial Crimes Division netted a major haul, including 608 high-powered Bitcoin mining computers, worth a cool $6.9 million.

On Tuesday, the LAPD announced the arrests of 47-year-old Vardan Vardanyan, 36-year-old Vagarshak Vardanyan, and 34-year-old Samvel Pilovan, noting they went down on March 19, according to a news release. The suspects were caught with their digital pants down, booked for Receiving Stolen Property under code 496 (A) PC at the 77th Street Regional Jail, as they scrambled to secure their ill-gotten gains.

The LAPD strike against the band of tech-savvy crooks called on the expertise of the Cargo Theft Unit (CTU). The crime-fighting squad kneecapped the operation which was allegedly commandeering a fortune in computers specifically tuned to solving complex algorithms that unlock new units of digital currency.

Authorities are urging anyone with a nugget of additional info to step forward. Tips can be submitted by calling the Commercial Crimes Division at (213) 486-5920 or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. The sly tech thieves, before getting nabbed, had likely been mining Bitcoin, which is a virtual gold rush for those with the computing power to back their digital pickaxes. In a sleight of hand typically reserved for magicians, the LAPD has turned the suspects' lucky streak into a one-way ticket to the slammer.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles community breathes a tentative sigh of relief as their streets are a little safer and the digital Wild West sees fewer outlaws riding the information superhighway. Those wanting to keep abreast of the LAPD's latest feats can keep their finger on the pulse by following @LAPDHQ on X.