A man named John Woeltz, 37, was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian tourist in Manhattan while attempting to steal the victim’s Bitcoin. The alleged abduction began on May 6, when Woeltz invited the victim to a home he rented in Nolita. For 17 days, the tourist was reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse, including electric shocks, beatings, and threats against his life and family, as Woeltz and an unapprehended accomplice pressured him to divulge his Bitcoin account password. They reportedly tied him up and placed an Apple AirTag around his neck to prevent escape.
The victim managed to flee the home on Friday morning and sought help, prompting police intervention. Law enforcement sources indicated Woeltz had a complex but problematic relationship with the victim, previously marked by violence but not to this extent. Woeltz was arraigned on charges of second-degree assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and firearm possession, with a judge ordering him to remain in custody. His next court date is scheduled for Wednesday.
Woeltz is described as a prominent cryptocurrency trader from Kentucky, with an estimated net worth of $100 million, while the victim is valued at around $30 million. Evidence collected from the scene included Polaroid photographs documenting the abuse and torture items. The home, rented at an estimated monthly rate of $30,000 to $40,000, contained various cases of alcohol and stripper poles, shocking neighbors who were unaware of the ongoing criminal activity. The case has drawn significant attention, with onlookers discussing the severity of the allegations and Woeltz’s perceived motivations given his wealth.
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