NEW YORK (PIX11) — A 28-year-old man from Italy was confined for three weeks in a Manhattan apartment due to issues surrounding his substantial cryptocurrency wallet.
The victim managed to escape from the Prince Street apartment early Thursday, after alerting an on-duty NYPD Traffic Agent, who called police.
Police sources indicate that every individual involved is part of the cryptocurrency trading community. The abduction occurred when the victim came from Italy to the apartment on May 6.
Throughout the ensuing weeks, the victim reportedly endured being bound to a chair with electrical wires, physically harmed, and subjected to various abuses, which included an alleged extortion scheme involving firearm threats while being photographed by the suspects.
He was also electrocuted with a taser while his feet were submerged in a bucket of water, police sources said.
After escaping on Thursday morning, the victim was treated and released from a local hospital.
Police responding to the scene entered the unlocked apartment and found ammunition, a firearm, cash, and broken furniture inside.
John Woeltz, 37, was found inside the residence wearing a bathrobe and was arrested.
Woeltz is charged with assault, kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment.
One additional suspect remains at large, and a woman is in custody with charges pending.
