NBC Los Angeles

Introduction to the Incident

A tourist was held captive and tortured for several weeks inside a Manhattan home before managing to escape Friday morning and running for help, eventually leading to the arrest of his alleged kidnapper.

The Kidnapping and Captivity

The 28-year-old man visiting from Italy met his alleged kidnapper on May 6. Law enforcement sources say that is when John Woeltz, 37, took the younger man to a home he was renting in Nolita. Initially, sources said the case involved sexual torture but later clarified the two had some kind of money issue and there was no sexual component. Woeltz took the man’s passport, tortured him and held him until the Italian man managed to escape more than two weeks later, the sources said.

The Escape and Arrest

Upon his escape, the 28-year-old ran into a traffic agent who called police to the home on Prince Street. Officers arrested Woeltz and allegedly found a trove of evidence at the rented out home. Sources said they turned up multiple Polaroid pictures of the victim being tied up and tortured. Investigators also reportedly recovered a gun and several torture items.

Investigation Details

Detectives planned to speak with two butlers apparently working at the residence. Law enforcement sources say Woeltz is a big-name crypto currency trader from Kentucky. He had reportedly been renting out the Prince Street residence at a monthly rate between $30,000-40,000.

Charges and Detention

Woeltz was being held at the 5th Precinct. It was not immediately clear what charges he could be facing. Attorney contact information was not known.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the importance of vigilance and swift action in cases of kidnapping and torture. The successful escape of the victim and the subsequent arrest of the alleged kidnapper demonstrate the effectiveness of law enforcement in responding to such crimes.

FAQs

1. Who was the victim?: A 28-year-old man visiting from Italy.
2. Who was the alleged kidnapper?: John Woeltz, 37, a crypto currency trader from Kentucky.
3. What was the nature of the kidnapping?: The victim was held captive and tortured for several weeks over a money issue.
4. How did the victim escape?: The victim managed to escape after more than two weeks of captivity and ran into a traffic agent who called the police.
5. What evidence was found at the scene?: Multiple Polaroid pictures of the victim being tied up and tortured, a gun, and several torture items.