Police have today released e-fit images of three men wanted in connection with Britain’s first bitcoin heist.
Officers are looking for the gang after a cryptocurrency trader and his girlfriend were held at gunpoint at their £800,000 home.
Four masked men stormed the converted barn and forced Danny Aston, 30, to transfer a fortune in Bitcoin to them from his computer.
But the transaction was not successful and the men fled empty-handed on Monday, January 22, police have since confirmed.
The first man (left) was described as being black, around 19 years old and of athletic build. The second is a white man in his 20s (right)
The third man is black, in his mid twenties, taller than six foot and was wearing a black Puffa-style jacket (pictured)
Neighbours say Mr Aston and partner Amy Jay, 31, from Moulsford, Oxfordshire, left the area after the terrifying ordeal.
The couple ran Aston Digital Currencies Ltd from their home.
Police said the men were seen wearing balaclavas and jumping over a fence at the front of the private road by a passer-by on the school run.
The force has now released e-fits of three men they want to speak with as part of their aggravated burglary investigation.
The first man is described as black, approximately 19 years old, 6ft 1in, of an athletic/slim build and was wearing a dark blue sports jacket with distinctive white slashes across the shoulder and down one arm.
He was wearing similar colour trousers and white shoes.
The second man is white, in his mid-20s, around 5ft 7ins and of a slim build. He had long patchy stubble and was wearing a small rucksack on his back.
The third man is black, in his mid twenties and taller than six foot. He was wearing a black Puffa-style jacket.
The break-in happened at 9.40am after the robbers kicked down a door.
A force spokesman said a male victim was ‘struck on the head but was not seriously injured during the incident’.
Moulsford, in Oxfordshire, (pictured) was the scene for several episodes of Midsomer Murders
The heist comes as the virtual currency Bitcoin has soared in value to just under £8,000 for a single coin
He was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital and later discharged.
Mr Aston is understood to be an experienced broker who’s carried out more than 100,000 online trades.
Financial analysts warn of Bitcoin’s volatility after it experienced huge fluctuations in value.
In 2016, one bitcoin was worth £430 but this rose to just under £13,000 in December last year. It has since dropped again to £4,200.
Detective sergeant Alan McIlwain said: ‘We are continuing to investigate this incident and would still like to speak to anyone who has any information about what happened.
‘I would also like to appeal for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, particularly after 10am on Monday January, 22 or who saw people who they believe may be the offenders enter or use a vehicle in the area.
‘We are also interested in speaking to anyone who believes they recognise the men shown in these e-fit images as this could assist our investigation.
‘No arrests have been made at this stage and anyone with any information relating to the incident is asked to call police.’
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 43180021974, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.