The beginning of the Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) story sets the stage for one of the most intricate and character-driven narratives in the series. The game opens in 2004 in the small, snowy town of Ludendorff, North Yankton, with a tense and violent bank robbery that quickly spirals out of control. The crew consists of Michael Townley, Trevor Philips, Brad Snider, and an unnamed getaway driver, with Lester Crest coordinating remotely GTA 5 Accounts. 

The heist goes wrong when the getaway driver is killed, and the robbers are chased by police. In the ensuing chaos, Trevor kills a security guard, and the team is forced to split up. Michael fakes his death by making a secret deal with the FIB (Federal Investigation Bureau), agreeing to testify against his crew in exchange for entering witness protection. Trevor escapes but believes Michael is dead, while Brad is captured and imprisoned.

The story then jumps forward nine years to present-day Los Santos, a sprawling city inspired by Los Angeles. Michael, now living under the alias Michael De Santa, is trying to maintain a low profile in a luxurious but dysfunctional family life. Despite his wealth and comfort, Michael is restless and disillusioned, attending therapy sessions and struggling with his wife Amanda and their two children. His retirement from crime has left him bored and disconnected, yearning for the excitement of his former life.

Meanwhile, Franklin Clinton, a young and ambitious street hustler from the rough neighborhoods of Los Santos, is trying to escape the cycle of petty crime and make something of himself. Working as a repo man for a corrupt car dealership owned by Simeon Yetarian, Franklin dreams of bigger opportunities. A chance encounter during a repossession job brings Franklin into contact with Michael, who sees potential in the young man and takes him under his wing. This meeting marks the beginning of their partnership and intertwines their fates.

Michael’s fragile attempt at a normal life is shattered when he discovers his wife’s infidelity and, in a moment of anger, he and Franklin cause the destruction of a house owned by Martin Madrazo, a powerful and dangerous drug lord. Madrazo demands compensation, forcing Michael to return to a life of crime to pay off his debt. Reconnecting with Lester Crest, Michael begins planning high-stakes heists, starting with an assassination and escalating to a daring jewelry store robbery.

The narrative thickens when Trevor, who has been living in the desert running a methamphetamine operation and believing Michael dead, discovers that Michael is very much alive. This revelation reignites their partnership and draws the three protagonists—Michael, Franklin, and Trevor—into a complex web of crime, loyalty, and betrayal. Together, they navigate conflicts involving government agencies, rival gangs, and powerful billionaires cheap GTA 5 Enhanced Accounts, setting the stage for the sprawling and dynamic story that unfolds across Los Santos.

This beginning effectively introduces the three main characters with distinct backgrounds and motivations, establishing the tone for the game’s blend of intense action, dark humor, and deep character development that players explore throughout GTA 5.