A 37-year-old man named John Woeltz was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian tourist in Manhattan for several weeks, with the intent of stealing his Bitcoin. The incident began on May 6 when Woeltz, along with an unidentified accomplice, forced the victim into a rental home in Nolita, confiscating his electronics and passport. Over the 17 days of captivity, the victim was reportedly beaten, shocked with electric wires, and threatened with a firearm. The assailants demanded the victim’s Bitcoin password, subjecting him to physical violence and psychological torment, including threats against his family.
The victim managed to escape on a Friday morning, seeking help from a nearby traffic agent who contacted the police. Upon their arrival, officers found the tourist battered and bruised, with visible marks from bindings on his wrists. In Woeltz’s rented residence, law enforcement discovered evidence of the alleged torture, including Polaroid photos and various torture instruments, as well as a firearm believed to have been used in the assaults.
Woeltz, a prominent cryptocurrency trader with an estimated wealth of around $100 million, was arraigned on multiple charges, including assault, kidnapping, and criminal possession of a firearm. A third business partner involved in the incident remains unidentified and at large. The shocking nature of the crime has left locals stunned, as many spoke about the unusual and brutal circumstances surrounding the arrest and the seemingly senseless motivation behind such actions given Woeltz’s immense wealth. His next court date is scheduled for Wednesday.
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