Auburn Man Charged with Burglary, Extortion, and Assault After Posing as Mail Carrier

A man has been accused of using his knowledge of law enforcement procedures to pose as a US Postal Service mail carrier and demand cryptocurrency from a Seattle homeowner.

According to court documents, 31-year-old Ian Alexander Blair rang the doorbell of a home in the 300 block of North 74th Street on February 20 and handed the homeowner a piece of mail. The letter demanded cryptocurrency and included a threat to get the homeowner 'in trouble with the law' if he didn't comply.

When the homeowner began reading the letter, Blair pushed him into the house and the two struggled on the ground for several minutes. The homeowner was later taken to a hospital with a fractured sternum, a possible fractured rib, and a fractured big toe.

The homeowner's wife told police she heard the commotion and ran from the back of the house to help. She said Blair punched her in the face two to three times and briefly strangled her with one hand, restricting her breathing for several seconds.