A 37-year-old man, John Woeltz, was arrested on charges of kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian tourist in Manhattan, aiming to steal the victim’s Bitcoin. The alleged abduction began on May 6 when the pair, along with another unidentified accomplice, took the tourist to a rented residence in Nolita. For 17 days, the victim was reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse, including beatings and electric shocks, as Woeltz and the unidentified partner attempted to force him to reveal his Bitcoin account password. They threatened to kill him and harm his family if he did not comply.
The victim managed to escape and sought help from a traffic agent, revealing the ordeal he had faced, marked by bruises and cuts from his captivity. Upon returning to the residence, law enforcement discovered various items associated with torture, including Polaroids of the victim while tied up, as well as a gun believed to have been used in the assaults.
Woeltz, a prominent cryptocurrency trader with an estimated net worth of $100 million, was arraigned on multiple charges, including second-degree assault and kidnapping. Police are currently searching for the third accomplice involved in the incident. Neighbors expressed shock over the allegations and the nature of the crime, questioning how someone with substantial wealth could commit such acts. The mansion where the crime occurred was rented at a high price, indicating the luxurious lifestyle of the suspect. Woeltz is being held in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.
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