A Kentucky-based crypto investor has been arrested ๐ after allegedly kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist ๐ฎ๐น for weeks in a luxury Manhattan apartment ๐๏ธโall in an effort to gain access to his crypto passwords ๐ฐ.
The suspect, John Woeltz, 37, is accused of holding the 28-year-old victim captive ๐ชค and subjecting him to brutal physical and psychological abuse, including torture with a chainsaw ๐ช. The ordeal ended when the victim escaped ๐โโ๏ธ and alerted authorities at a nearby police station ๐.
๐งพ Disturbing Discovery at Luxury Apartment
Police rushed to the high-end Prince Street residence ๐ธโrented for $30K to $40K/monthโwhere they discovered bloody scenes ๐ฉธ, electric cords ๐, and shocking images ๐ธ showing the victim tied up and terrorized with a gun ๐ซ pointed at his head.
The victim claims he was:
Bound with electric cords ๐ชข
Tased while standing in water โก๐ง
Whipped with a pistol ๐ซ
Forced to use cocaine ๐
Threatened with limb amputation via chainsaw ๐ช
Authorities believe the motive was a crypto extortion attempt worth millions ๐ช.
๐ The incident allegedly began on May 6, shortly after the tourist arrived from Italy to meet Woeltz, whom he had known through previous dealings. Instead of a meeting, he was kidnapped and held in what police are calling a โtorture chamberโ ๐งท.
Inside, police found:
Broken glass ๐งฉ
Night vision goggles ๐
Bulletproof vest ๐ก๏ธ
Loaded weapon ๐ซ
Blood on the floor ๐ฉธ
๐ธ Disturbing polaroids of the victim were allegedly taken to extort money either from him or his family abroad ๐ฎ๐น.
๐ฅ The victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital and is recovering.
๐ฎ Multiple Arrests Made โ More Suspects Sought
John Woeltz has been charged with:
First-degree kidnapping ๐
First-degree unlawful imprisonment ๐งท
Two counts of second-degree assault ๐ฉน
Criminal possession of a weapon ๐ซ
A second suspect, Beatrice Folchi, 24, was also arrested in Manhattan ๐ฝ and charged with first-degree kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment.
๐จ Two other individuals believed to have worked with Woeltz are still under investigation. The victim had an Apple AirTag ๐ placed on him to prevent escape. He managed to flee last Fridayโbelieving it was the day heโd be killed.
๐ฑ Community in Shock
Eyewitnesses described Woeltz being arrested in a robe ๐ and handcuffed by police ๐. โThis is definitely the strangest thing Iโve seen here,โ one resident said. Another vendor claimed they had a "weird vibe" from the "crypto guys" ๐งโโ๏ธ๐งโโ๏ธ in the building.
๐ฎโโ๏ธ Authorities have pledged to locate and charge all parties involved and ensure no other victims remain in danger.