Los Angeles police have arrested a Canyon Country man on suspicion of possessing stolen bitcoin mining computers worth $579,000.
Bryan Thola, 26, was released on his own recognizance from a Van Nuys jail early Friday, according to inmate jail records. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, a felony.
Police found what appeared to be dozens of computer towers stacked in Thola's cargo van and in a public storage unit.
Bitcoin mining computers are specialized devices that create new units of cryptocurrency by solving complex mathematical problems through trial and error. The more computers you have, the faster you can create more bitcoins. Bitcoin miners ensure that each transaction is verified within minutes and publicly available, according to Fidelity Investments.
Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Michael McComas said the investigation was ongoing and he could not release any other information about the case or the stolen computers. Police are asking anyone with information to call the Los Angeles Police Department's Commercial Crimes Division at (213) 486-5920.
