Crypto investor arrested in New York for kidnapping and torturing Italian tourist
NEW YORK (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - A man was arrested Friday (5/23) in Lower Manhattan in the kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist.
John Woeltz, 37, was barefoot and dressed in a bathrobe as he was escorted by officers down the steps of a home at 38 Prince St. in SoHo.
He was questioned at the Fifth Precinct and later charged with two counts of second-degree assault, and one count each of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm.
A witness said it was a very chaotic crime scene.
"We saw police running this way and then there was just a lot of screaming," Molli Sramowicz said. "Police with their guns out, then the SWAT team came in, then a fire truck."
The NYPD says the victim arrived in New York from Italy on May 6 and then went to the home. Police sources say at some point he was tied up and then tortured for as long as three weeks. The victim eventually managed to escape and flagged down a nearby traffic agent, who called police.
A source close to the investigation said officers went inside the residence to ensure there were no other victims. There, they found numerous Polaroid photos of the victim tied up and tortured.
Police say they also found in plain view a firearm and multiple items used for torture.
A source close to the investigation said officers went inside the residence to ensure there were no other victims. There, they found numerous Polaroid photos of the victim tied up and tortured.
Police say they also found in plain view a firearm and multiple items used for torture.
The suspect is a crypto investor originally from Kentucky who rents an apartment in the home for between $30,000 and $40,000 per month.
The motive for the alleged attack is still unclear. Investigators say there were two butlers at the residence who will also be interviewed.
Local residents said they were perplexed by the alleged attack.
"He didn't look distressed at all, but that could've been because he was on the street," Cairan Tully said.
"I just can't believe stuff like this would happen in 2025 in New York of all place. This is our borough, our neighborhood. We just have to…we have to be careful," added Kareem Hakemy of Midtown.
