Man charged after allegedly posing as postal worker, demanding crypto from Phinney Ridge couple
Feb 27, 2026, 12:11 PM | Updated: 12:14 pm
A letter carrier delivers mail. (Photo: Nathan Howard, Getty Images)
(Photo: Nathan Howard, Getty Images)
A man who allegedly posed as a postal worker and assaulted a Phinney Ridge couple, demanding cryptocurrency, has been charged.
Ian Blair, a 31-year-old from Auburn, was charged with first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree assault, and extortion and criminal impersonation, according to The Seattle Times.
Auburn man allegedly forces way into Seattle home
Last Friday, Blair rang the doorbell of a home near North 74th Street and Greenwood Avenue North, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) reported.
When a 52-year-old resident answered, Blair allegedly held out a piece of mail and told the man to open it in front of him. The letter reportedly demanded cryptocurrency.
According to The Seattle Times, the man was allegedly trying to coerce the Seattle resident into giving him 10 bitcoins in exchange for information related to a civil suit the resident is involved in.
Blair then reportedly forced his way into the home and assaulted the man and his wife, police said.
Law enforcement responded at 2:16 p.m.
“Officers arrived, and witnesses flagged them down,” an SPD Blotter post stated. “They entered the residence and found the 52-year-old and the 31-year-old suspect struggling. The victim’s 50-year-old wife was standing over them in distress.”
Officers handcuffed Blair.
“When officers asked the suspect if he worked for the U.S. Postal Service, he didn’t answer,” the post stated. “He eventually said ‘lawyer.'”
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Blair was reportedly wearing USPS uniform, carrying branded satchel
Blair was reportedly wearing a USPS uniform and was carrying a branded satchel, which was searched by police, according to SPD.
“They found electronic equipment, tape, plastic bags, large zip ties, tasers, tourniquet, cellphone, lint roller, an electronic signal blocking pouch, black beanie, face mask, dark sunglasses, and a box of plastic gloves,” authorities stated. “The suspect did not have any identification showing he worked for the USPS.”
The 52-year-old resident was taken to a hospital after complaining of chest pains.
Blair was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of burglary, two counts of assault, and criminal impersonation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.
Blair is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, according to The Seattle Times.
This story was originally published on Feb. 24, 2026. It has been updated and republished since then.
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
